Noting the growing interest in offshore wind, the U.S. Offshore Wind Collaborative (USOWC) has released “U.S. Offshore Wind Energy: A Path Forward,” a resource for government, industry, and non-governmental stakeholders offering a snapshot of U.S. offshore wind energy activity in 2009.
“While currently this abundant domestic renewable energy source remains untapped, there is growing political and market momentum to realize the potential of offshore wind energy,” said Laurie Jodziewicz, AWEA’s manager of siting policy and one of the report’s authors. “This timely report captures some of this momentum and will hopefully advance offshore wind energy in the U.S.”
America's offshore wind resource is vast, estimated at 900,000 MW, or enough to provide roughly 75% of current total U.S. electricity demand. The U.S. Department of Energy's 20% Wind by 2030 Report envisions more than 50,000 MW being installed offshore by 2030, out of a total of 293,000 MW needed to reach the 20% objective.
The report provides an overview of various areas critical to sustainable offshore wind energy development, including regulation and government policies, technology development, economic and financial viability, environmental and marine use compatibility, and leadership and coordination. The mission of the USOWC is to address the technical, environmental, economic and regulatory issues necessary to catalyze the sustainable development of offshore wind energy in the waters of the United States. The Collaborative said it will update the report periodically as part of its effort "to serve as an information clearinghouse for offshore wind." |
