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Roadmap for the U.S. offshore wind supply chain

Report

The National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC) released a report that identifies how the United States can develop a robust and equitable national supply chain needed to achieve the national goal of 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030.

Domestic offshore wind supply chain

This report describes how the United States could develop a wholly domestic offshore wind supply chain. It analyzes the obstacles that could impede or delay supply chain expansion and offers potential solutions that could help overcome these challenges.

The report highlights key considerations for developing resilient, sustainable, equitable manufacturing capabilities. Finally, it estimates the number of significant component manufacturing facilities, ports, and ships that would need to be developed by 2030 in a national supply chain scenario that supports an annual deployment of 4-6 GW per year.

This scenario also guides the discussion of the investment, development time, and workforce growth required to develop a national offshore wind supply chain.

Partnership

This project is a partnership between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Enterprise Network for Offshore Wind, DNV, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Matt Shields, NREL’s senior offshore wind analyst, stated, “The opportunity to create a resilient and equitable national supply chain is one of the most exciting aspects of our offshore wind goals. This supply chain would increase our chances of meeting the 30 GW target by 2030. Create many jobs and economic benefits, and, most importantly, position the sector for sustainable growth beyond 2030.”

 

Offshore wind resources

On the other hand, Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, commented: “Developing our nation’s vast offshore wind resources will provide clean, reliable energy to coastal communities. And help us meet our climate goals. It also represents a significant opportunity to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. And expand domestic manufacturing across the country. With the help of the roadmap laid out in this report, we can catalyze progress to realize this immense potential.”

Wind supply chain

Ross Gould, vice president of Supply Chain Development and Research for the Enterprise Network for Offshore Wind, said, “A manufacturing supply chain is already emerging in more than a dozen locations up and down the U.S. coast. In support of the offshore wind industry, which will lead to thousands of good-paying jobs. To achieve our ambitious national clean energy goals, U.S. manufacturers must play a greater role in accelerating our transition. This roadmap lays out the challenges and collaborative actions needed to bring more domestic companies into the supply chain. And the opportunity those companies bring to building the U.S. offshore wind industry.”

“To fully realize the potential of offshore wind in the United States. It is important that we understand the gaps and needs of the current offshore wind supply chain. By understanding the needs of the industry, we can direct investments to local businesses. And labor that create economic opportunities while achieving our goals of cleaner, more reliable energy. MEA is proud to participate in a study that brings us closer to realizing offshore wind’s economic and environmental promise,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky.

This report identifies critical actions we must take as an industry to develop the supply chain quickly, strategically, and equitably.

 

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