Coastal Atlantic US states have been urged to complete necessary planning and solicitation for offshore transmission systems.
As the development of offshore wind projects continues to increase across the US, a letter signed by 13 clean energy and environmental organisations was sent to policymakers in coastal Atlantic states today.
It requests authorities complete the necessary planning and solicitation for offshore transmission systems to support the industry’s long-term growth.
The groups urge the states to use the de facto global hardware standards that have emerged through collaborative work between European utilities and the electric equipment supply chain.
Led by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the American Clean Power Association, the letter details how the US is well-positioned to benefit from Europe’s standardised 525kV high voltage direct current system hardware design for converter platforms and transmission cables.
If adopted by Atlantic coastal states, the groups state these de facto standards will allow offshore wind energy to increase at the scale and pace necessary to realise state energy goals.
Additional benefits of implementing these hardware standards include cost-effective access to the global supply chain, quicker, scalable transmission solicitations, improved certainty for offshore developers and the global and US transmission supply chain and development of less than half as many offshore grid systems, reducing environmental impacts.
“Atlantic Coast states can and should move forward with planning and procurement of offshore transmission systems based on the work that has led to the developing supply chain and a significant order book,” the groups stated in the letter.
“Given the lead times and supply chain orders already in place, beginning transmission solicitations for Atlantic-based offshore transmission as expeditiously as possible will help ensure that systems that allow offshore wind energy to increase in scale and benefits can be in place by the 2032-2033 time frame,” the letter added.
ACORE president and chief executive Ray Long said: “America cannot afford to drag its heels any longer in planning and deploying the transmission necessary to achieve the clean energy transition.
“Widespread growth in US electricity demand is going to require more energy than ever before and offshore wind is a key component of meeting that demand.
“The standards for offshore transmission systems laid out in this letter will help facilitate the timely build out of the infrastructure necessary to support this critical industry.”