US offshore wind market expanding
A report produced by the US Government suggests that the development of offshore wind farms around the coast of the US will expand to 54.6 gigawatts by 2030. This figure exceeds developments around the UK where the report suggests that the total will be 32.2 gigawatts.
The US has been slow to develop its considerable potential for offshore wind farms compared with Europe but the momentum for expansion is now growing and work is expected to start on several planned developments in the near future.
This expansion in the US could create a market for many European companies that have developed considerable expertise in both the installation and servicing of offshore wind farms. In particular many of the specialised installation vessels could make the journey across the Atlantic for work on the East Coast of the US. Expertise in the transfer of service personnel could also find a market in the US particularly with many of the unique designs that have been developed for this market. European wind farm transfer vessels themselves are not likely to find a market in the US but the expertise that has been developed in the design and operation of these vessels could be transferred.
Much of the wind farm development in the US will be along the East Coast of the US where there are many areas of shallow water similar in many respects to those found in the North Sea. Permission has been granted for several of these developments to start and there are many others in the pipeline waiting to be finalised. The market has huge potential and could provide a lifeline for European companies who can see a reduction in activity in European waters.
By Dag Pike
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