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A Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States

A Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States

Full Title: A Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States
Author(s): Matt Shields, Jeremy Stefek, Frank Oteri, Matilda Kreider, Elizabeth Gill, Sabina Maniak, Ross Gould, Courtney Malvik, Sam Tirone, and Eric Hines
Publisher(s): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date: January 20, 2023
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

In this report, the authors describe how a fully domestic offshore wind energy supply chain could develop. We summarize the major barriers that could prevent or delay supply chain expansion and present potential solutions that could help overcome these challenges. We describe the major factors that need to be considered to develop resilient, sustainable, and equitable manufacturing capabilities in the United States. Finally, we present a scenario for a domestic supply chain that estimates the number of required major component manufacturing facilities, ports, and vessels that would need to be developed by 2030 to support an annual deployment of 4–6 GW. This deployment rate would put the nation on a pathway to installing 110 GW by 2050 primarily using domestically produced components.

We demonstrate that if individual states leverage their existing manufacturing capabilities to contribute to the offshore wind energy sector, this conceptual supply chain would generate significant workforce and economic benefits throughout the United States, not just in coastal locations with active offshore wind energy programs. The results are intended to provide information to federal and state governments, economic development agencies, organized labor, project developers, manufacturers, and community representatives to facilitate supply chain planning and decision-making.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

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