Orsted is a global leader in renewable energy—and it’s leaning into America with real ambition. The company recently announced a $20 billion investment to build out a domestic clean energy backbone, including massive Offshore and Onshore Wind, solar, and energy storage projects.
Among their U.S. portfolio are iconic projects:
- South Fork Wind (~132 MW launched 2024, powering 70,000+ homes)
- Sunrise Wind (~924 MW mega‑farm underway off Long Island, delivering 800 construction jobs and 300 operational roles)
- Revolution Wind (~704 MW offshore near Rhode Island & Connecticut)
Onshore, they’re divesting and partnering across nearly a gigawatt of solar farms in Texas and Arizona
With Ørsted’s U.S. projects soaring to over 9 GW of construction in 2024 alone—enough to power nearly 8 million homes—their demand for highly vetted contractors is stronger than ever.
Ørsted’s Request: ISO, OHSMS & US Written Safety Programs
Ørsted expects all contractors—regardless of their trade—to operate with world-class safety systems.
That means:
- Implementing an ISO-aligned OHSMS (commonly via ISO 45001 or equivalent frameworks)
- Demonstrating best practices in health, safety, and environmental management
- Maintaining detailed, up-to-date written safety programs covering job-specific hazards
Together, these systems form the backbone of contractor readiness on high-stakes projects.
What type of contractors does Ørsted work with?
Ørsted hires a wide range of contractors to support its offshore wind projects, spanning every stage from development to operations. These include Tier 1 suppliers such as turbine manufacturers (e.g., Siemens Gamesa), foundation and steel structure fabricators (like Bladt Industries and SeAH Wind), and cable system providers (such as JDR Cables and Tekmar Energy). Marine contractors like Seajacks and CWind handle turbine installation, vessel operation, and offshore logistics, while specialized firms provide environmental surveys, UXO clearance, and risk assessments.
In the U.S., Orsted prioritizes union labor through agreements with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), employing skilled trades like electricians, ironworkers, and pipefitters across its projects. Post-construction, Ørsted contracts operations and maintenance crews, including vessel operators, blade technicians, and inspection teams. All contractors are expected to meet rigorous safety, sustainability, and quality standards, aligning with Ørsted’s commitment to clean energy and responsible supply chain practices.
ISNetworld®: The First Gatekeeper
In North America, Ørsted uses platforms like ISNetworld®, along with others such as Avetta® and Veriforce®, to vet and audit contractors.
To get approved, you’ll need:
- ISNetworld®-ready custom safety programs (RAVS®) aligned with OHSMS and ISO standards
- Annual updates, insurance certifications, and up-to-date OSHA logs
- Manual Audit–proof documentation of your safety program content
- Compliance with Ørsted-specific site rules (e.g. substation, offshore access)
Generic programs or outdated files won’t get you across the finish line—and manual audits are more thorough than ever.
Don’t Risk Project Role or Reputation
With U.S. offshore projects approaching $1 billion in scale and onshore efforts growing, contractor qualifications are vital. Delays from manual audits, insurance missteps or missing updates can mean losing prime slots—or worse, project removal.
That’s why a solid OHSMS backed by ISO-aligned safety programs is key—not just to win Ørsted contracts, but to keep them.
How Cascade QMS Helps Ørsted Contractors
At Cascade QMS, we’ve helped multiple contractors qualify for Ørsted projects—and stay compliant year over year.
Our support includes:
- Full ISNetworld® account setup and maintenance
- Custom-written OHSMS and ISO-aligned safety programs tailored to your scope
- Insurance uploads, OSHA log submissions, and annual compliance updates
- Preparation for Manual Audits and Ørsted-specific requirements
- Ongoing account support to maintain high grades and project eligibility
Whether you’re building offshore foundations or servicing onshore solar farms, we ensure your compliance is rock-solid before you step on site.
Final Word
Ørsted’s U.S. footprint is expanding rapidly—and so is its need for professionally vetted contractors. If you’re targeting offshore wind, solar, or energy infrastructure projects, you need more than paperwork. You need a robust ISO Written Programs (RAVS), OHSMS Written Programs and ISNetworld® profile that can pass scrutiny at any level.
Talk to Cascade QMS. We don’t just help you qualify. We help you prepare—and stay ready—for every opportunity Ørsted brings to the table.
👉 Explore our ISNetworld Management Plan or Contact us today to build your compliance advantage.
Cascade QMS is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ørsted. All project details are sourced from publicly available news articles and project websites for informational purposes.