Today only 42 MW of offshore wind power is connected (Block Island, 30 MW, and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot Project, 12 MW) and more than 50,000 under development, 16,564 of them in the “advanced” stage. are prime numbers offshore wind market report, report just published by the American Clean Power Association. The document analyzes the impact that all these projects are having on the country’s industry. A good example of this is the activity at shipyards, which are already building specialized ships to deploy all this wind power. According to the American Clean Power Association, there are currently more than thirty manufacturing orders for this type of vessel in US ports. The report also highlights 14 projects of component factories that have been announced by the main players in the sector (“Announced or Under Construction”, Announced or Under Construction). According to the US association, the announced investment to start these factories of large components for marine parks (“major offshore wind components”) is more than $1,700 million. Even more—advances from employers—the three pending state calls suggest that investment will continue to grow.
Win east coast
With 4,362 MW in portfolio (132 MW under construction, South Fork Park), New York State leads the race for offshore wind power built in the United States. Next comes New Jersey, with 3,758 megabytes (all of them in an advanced stage of development: “all of which are in advanced development”). Massachusetts is the third state with an offshore wind farm under construction. This is the Vineyard (806 MW), a park that is expected to be completed this year (the park has 806 MW of power). Vineyard represents practically 25% of the electricity that is in this state’s portfolio (3,242 MW).
More data: 32 areas are reserved for the development of all these parks, and for the US administration this already assumed income is more than relevant. According to the report, the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has signed leases worth $5.4 billion for that location through 2022. Prices are not the same everywhere. The American Clean Power Association reports higher costs at the February 22 New York Bight auction ($8.313 average per acre) and lower prices in Carolina Long Bay (2.65 average) and California (1.91).
The report’s authors estimate that offshore wind development, farm construction and operation will support more than 83,000 jobs by 2030 and could generate up to $25 billion per year in industry investment in economic output.
The report estimates that this year (2023) the United States will add about a thousand megawatts of offshore wind power to the grid. Next year more than a thousand megabytes will be connected. In 2025 there will be over 1,500 “plugged in”. The period of next three years (26-27-28) will be busy. Namely: the sector will add up to 12,500 MW.
The activity is so absolutely frantic
Of course: the sector’s employers warn in their report that costs are rising due to “supply chain disruptions, rising raw material prices, macroeconomic inflationary pressures and higher interest rates”. The association particularly highlights the increase in the price of steel, which is one of the major components of wind turbines. Another shadow that taints the moment is to be sought in the administration. According to the report, authorization processes (colloquially known as permissions in the industry) are long and unclear. “Addressing these challenges – as well as improving economic conditions – will strengthen the viability of offshore wind projects,” concludes the American Clean Power Association.
