New research conducted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind has revealed that the United States will require an estimated $36 billion in funding over the next decade to bridge the infrastructure gap for offshore wind ports. The report, titled “Building a National Network of Offshore Wind Ports: A $36B Plan for Domestic Clean Energy Infrastructure,” underscores the critical necessity for both private and public investments in the development of offshore wind ports in the U.S. The report, authored by Brian Sabina, CEO of Clean Energy Terminals, in collaboration with the Network's Ports Working Group, outlines potential strategies to secure the capital required to bolster the burgeoning U.S. offshore wind industry.
The study outlines the ambitious targets set by the U.S., aiming to achieve 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and an even more impressive 110 GW by 2050. However, it warns that the current inadequacy of port infrastructure stands as one of the primary bottlenecks impeding the progress of the country's offshore wind sector.
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To fully support the extensive development of the nation's offshore wind industry, the U.S. will need between 99 to 119 port development sites along its East Coast, West Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, only 35 ports are either operational or in various stages of development. Without substantial government funding and policies that encourage and de-risk private investments in offshore wind port infrastructure, the capacity of these ports will remain a substantial constraint on the expansion of offshore wind energy projects throughout the country.
Additionally, the report highlights the particular demand for specialized ports on the West Coast to facilitate the growth of floating offshore wind projects, constituting more than a third of the total infrastructure requirement for the U.S. offshore wind market.
Liz Burdock, President and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, commented on the findings, stating, “The offshore wind industry has gained tremendous momentum in the past year, with significant developments in the first two U.S. commercial-scale projects. However, the shortage of port infrastructure represents a critical bottleneck that threatens industry growth and progress. To support our expanding sector and generate thousands of jobs in the process, federal and state governments must collaborate with the private sector to incentivize and finance new offshore wind port initiatives.”
