Scaling the Supply Chain for the Next 29 GW

Starting in 2023, the U.S. needs to install five, 14-megawatt  turbines every week to hit 30 gigawatts  by 2030. That is the message for delegates at ABS’ third annual Offshore Wind Forum.

Key stakeholders in the U.S. offshore wind market joined ABS to dissect some of the foremost challenges in the journey to scale up production to meet the U.S. federal government’s “30 by 30” goal.

With one GW of U.S. offshore wind power operating or under construction this year, ABS designed the forum to focus on the next 29 GWs. Attendees represented all segments of the industry from shipyards and offshore service providers to marine engineering firms and government regulators.

“ABS certified the first U.S. offshore wind project in Orsted’s Block Island; classed the first ever Jones Act compliant offshore wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), the Charybdis; and classed the first U.S.-flagged Jones Act offshore wind project service operation vessel (SOV) for Edison Chouest. In the U.S. market alone, the industry would need to install five, 14-megawatt turbines a week starting in 2023 to reach the government’s goal of 30 GW by 2030. With a target this ambitious, it is very important to work together across organizations. ABS is leading in the U.S. offshore wind market because we can bring together key voices to drive progress forward,” said Greg Lennon, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore Wind.

The afternoon event started with a panel discussion on financing opportunities for offshore wind vessels. Speakers from Crowley, Clarksons, Otto Candies and Citizens Bank shared thoughts on infrastructure challenges, risks in financing large capital expenditure vessels and public-private partnerships.

On a second panel focused on clean technology and sustainability, representatives from Great Lakes Dredge and Dock (GLDD), Shell, Vestas and Hornbeck Offshore Services discussed alternative fuels and hybrid power options that can support offshore wind projects as well as technologies that can impact decarbonization strategies.

The final session looked at workforce challenges in the next decade. Representatives from Edison Chouest, Texas A&M University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Maine Maritime Academy discussed the skills and training necessary to develop a sustainable and well-trained maritime workforce to support the offshore wind industry.

In addition to ABS’ lists of firsts in domestic offshore wind projects, worldwide, ABS certified the first semisubmersible offshore wind turbine, WindFloat I; classed the world’s largest floating wind turbine, the Windfloat Atlantic; and classed Kincardine, the world’s largest floating offshore windfarm when installed.