The state of Virginia has released a roadmap document setting out its potential for establishing an offshore wind supply chain to serve projects on the US East Coast.
The report, produced by BVG Associates for the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME), analyses Virginia’s potential strategic role in the rapidly emerging US offshore wind industry.
The roadmap details the large pipeline of offshore wind projects along the East Coast and provides insight into the areas the industry regards as priority, including a reliable, broad-based supplier network coupled with regionally optimised logistics.
Recommendations include establishing a regional supply chain collaborative with neighbouring states, creating a Virginia Office for Offshore Wind, soliciting anchor tenant suppliers, and expanding workforce development opportunities.
State Governor Ralph Northam said: “Virginia has a clear opportunity to act as a leader in driving the development of the US offshore wind industry.”
Unique advantages of Virginia that make it a suitable for hosting a supply chain hub due, include port infrastructure, location, maritime capacity, and workforce.
Northam added: “Growing the supply chain sector at this early stage will prepare Virginia to competitively deliver the development of our own offshore wind resources in the coming years.”
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball said: “As offshore wind projects accelerate rapidly along the East Coast, Virginia can lead in attracting the supply chain industry to support this development.
According to Ball offshore wind has the potential to provide thousands of local jobs, and the report highlights efforts to attract this industry.
“Those efforts include the creation of a state office focused on offshore wind as well as regional collaboration to help ensure that offshore wind projects on the East Coast come online as cost competitively and quickly as possible,” Ball said.
BVGA advisory director Andy Geissbuehler said: “Regional collaboration will deliver the most effective offshore wind supply chain.
“It is critical that Virginia’s leaders keep the momentum going toward developing a regional supply chain cluster in order to make the most of the opportunities presented as states to the North develop their wind energy areas first.”
To produce the roadmap BVG Associates partnered with DMME, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Port of Virginia, and Virginia’s maritime industry trade associations.
DMME director John Warren said: “The Commonwealth’s lead-by-example effort to align businesses interested in offshore wind with an industry at the early stages of development is the most important step in enabling the East Coast offshore wind build-out.
“A timely supply chain entry will equip Virginia with the skills and infrastructure needed to participate in this major industry growth opportunity.”
The team engaged Hampton Roads-area local government, economic, and workforce development officials in its opportunity analysis.