The Business Network for Offshore Wind has released a new report detailing state and federal policies needed to accelerate the development of a US offshore wind supply chain.
The Advancing Policy Measures To Drive Development Of The Domestic Offshore Wind Supply Chain paper is a series of reports developed for the Labor Energy Partnership (LEP) Offshore Wind Workshop.
It outlines a blueprint for building a supply chain capable of supporting the emerging US industry through a coordinated action plan that pairs strengthening market visibility with an industrialization strategy targeting support for manufacturing, transmission and port upgrades.
LEP is a collaboration between the AFL-CIO led by President Liz Schuler and the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) led by former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
LEP developed the report series to explore ways to drive the offshore wind industry forward in the US.
This includes a comprehensive strategy for developing long-term market visibility; targeting resources to manufacturing, ports, and shipbuilding; developing a skilled labour force; enacting special programs and efforts for secondary suppliers; preparing the transmission system for offshore wind; and spurring innovation through research.
The paper also draws up recommendations through analysis of the current policies governing the supply chain, barriers faced by US businesses, and the development of offshore wind in Europe and other renewables in the United States.
Special recommendations are included for smaller businesses and suppliers that face specific barriers to expansion but are critical to the success of a domestic industry.
The four reports were discussed by industry, government and labour leaders during a virtual workshop moderated by Knobloch Energy president Kevin Knobloch.
A US based offshore wind supply chain has already started to take off as the first offshore wind projects move into the construction phase, the Business Network for Offshore Wind said.
At least a dozen primary component facilities are breaking ground or expanding existing operations to manufacture the cables, towers, blades, and foundations, and new vessels are being constructed in shipyards from Louisiana to Massachusetts, it added.
The Business Network for Offshore Wind president Liz Burdock (pictured) said: “Success of the U.S. offshore wind industry is dependent on tens of thousands of small and medium sized businesses comprising the offshore wind supply chain.
“But success is not guaranteed, and this new policy paper lays out a roadmap for America’s steel fabricator, vessel builder, engineering firm, environmental permitting, and family-owned welding shop that evens the playing field with foreign competitors and builds a thriving sector.”
The Business Network for Offshore Wind vice president for supply chain development Ross Gould said: “American manufacturers, suppliers, and workers are excited to help power our nation’s transition to cleaner energy, but they need support to expand their operations and compete on the global stage.
“With effective policies, we can unlock our manufacturing base, secure our energy future, and help companies large and small create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs here at home.”