North Carolina offshore wind industry: Discover how North Carolina is teaming up with Mid-Atlantic states & NREL to uncover exciting prospects in offshore wind workforce and supply chain development. Get ready for an incredible transformation! Discover the groundbreaking developments in North Carolina offshore wind industry.
North Carolina Offshore Wind Project
North Carolina is diving headfirst into a game-changing project called the “SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis.” This project is all about offshore wind and how it can transform the region’s job market and supply chains for the better. national offshore wind research and development consortium
Imagine a team effort involving the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the State of North Carolina, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and even the State of Delaware. It’s a powerhouse collaboration.
Machelle Baker Sanders, the N.C. Commerce Secretary, is thrilled about the potential. She’s convinced that North Carolina is tailor-made for leading the charge in offshore wind energy along the East Coast. With its central East Coast location and a robust manufacturing presence, the state can supply offshore wind projects up and down the coast with homegrown components and maritime support. It’s a win-win.
National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC) recently hooked up National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with funds to draft a nationwide Supply Chain Roadmap. This blueprint tackles everything from advanced manufacturing facilities to modernizing ports, constructing new vessels, setting up workforce training centers, and bolstering emerging port communities. They’re leaving no stone unturned to ensure offshore wind’s success.
NREL is teaming up with SMART-POWER states to bridge those critical gaps they identified. They’re aiming to capitalize on these opportunities and drive homegrown benefits.
Keep your eyes peeled for the final report, dropping early in 2025.
In 2020, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland sealed a deal with a Memorandum of Understanding, ushering in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Transformation Partnership for Offshore Wind Energy Resources, aka SMART-POWER. This game plan sets the stage for the three states to unite forces, boost offshore wind energy, and supercharge the supply chain and workforce.
North Carolina’s Path to 85,000 New Jobs Revealed!
Here’s the jaw-dropper: A report by the N.C. Department of Commerce predicts 85,000 fresh jobs and a staggering $140 billion investment along the Atlantic Coast by 2035. North Carolina could snag a cool $100 billion of that and create thousands of stable jobs.
Governor Roy Cooper made waves in June 2021 with Executive Order 218, charting a course for North Carolina’s offshore wind. Picture this: 2.8 gigawatts by 2030 and a whopping 8.0 gigawatts by 2040. That’s a bold move. The order also birthed the North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS), a squad of experts helping Gov. Cooper and state leaders navigate this exciting journey.
Now, when it comes to renewable energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the heavyweight champion. It’s a primary lab for renewable energy and energy efficiency research. If you want the nitty-gritty, head to www.nrel.gov.
Also read: Bridging the Unknown: US Offshore Wind Turbine Projects
Lastly, meet the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, the unsung hero founded in 2018. This not-for-profit team is all about pushing the envelope on offshore wind tech in the U.S., conducting high-impact research, and making sure we develop responsibly. Check them out at nationaloffshorewind.org.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) related to North Carolina Offshore Wind:
Q: What is the “SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis”?
Ans: The SMART-POWER Workforce and Supply Chain Analysis is a regional initiative in which North Carolina is participating. It focuses on assessing the offshore wind workforce and supply chain in the region.
Q: Who is involved in this initiative?
Ans: Several entities are collaborating on this project, including the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the states of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
Q: What is the goal of this initiative?
Ans: The primary objective is to understand the existing capabilities in offshore wind within the region and identify investment opportunities in the supply chain to support responsible offshore wind development.
Q: Why is North Carolina considered ideal for offshore wind development?
Ans: North Carolina boasts both significant technical potential for offshore wind energy generation on the East Coast and a substantial manufacturing presence along the Eastern Seaboard. Its central East Coast location allows it to support offshore wind projects up and down the entire coast.
Q: What is the significance of the Supply Chain Roadmap?
Ans: The Supply Chain Roadmap is a comprehensive plan that outlines various supply chain scenarios, including investments in manufacturing facilities, port modernization, vessel construction, workforce training centers, and support for emerging port communities.
Q: How will NREL collaborate with SMART-POWER states?
Ans: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will work with SMART-POWER states to address critical gaps identified in the supply chain and offshore wind industry, aiming to maximize local benefits.
Q: When can we expect the final results and report from this initiative?
Ans: The conclusive findings and a detailed report are scheduled for release in the early months of 2025.
Q: What is SMART-POWER, and what role does it play in this initiative?
Ans: SMART-POWER stands for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Transformation Partnership for Offshore Wind Energy Resources. It provides a framework for North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland to collaborate and promote offshore wind energy and its associated supply chain and workforce.
Q: What economic benefits are projected for the offshore wind industry?
Ans: According to a report by the N.C. Department of Commerce, the offshore wind industry along the Atlantic Coast is expected to create around 85,000 sustainable jobs and attract approximately $140 billion in capital investments by 2035.
Q: What are North Carolina offshore wind development goals?
Ans: North Carolina’s goals, as outlined in Executive Order 218, include reaching 2.8 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and a substantial 8.0 gigawatts by 2040. The order also established the North Carolina Taskforce for Offshore Wind Economic Resource Strategies (NC TOWERS) to provide expert guidance on economic development and job creation related to offshore wind energy.
