From a lonely 30-megawatt pioneer to a surging pipeline poised to light up millions of homes, the U.S. offshore wind industry is finally harnessing the ocean's power and turning ambitious blueprints into steel in the water.
Key Takeaways
- As of October 2023, the US has approved 13 offshore wind projects totaling 13.9 GW of capacity, with Vineyard Wind 1 (806 MW) being the first to commence operations in late 2024
- BOEM has issued 7 commercial leases off the Atlantic coast covering approximately 2 million acres, capable of supporting up to 25 GW of offshore wind energy
- South Fork Wind project, a 132 MW facility off New York, achieved full operations in 2024, delivering power to Long Island and NYC
- As of 2023, US operational offshore wind capacity is 42 MW from Block Island and CVOW demo
- Vineyard Wind 1 expected to generate 2.4 TWh annually, enough for 400,000 homes
- South Fork Wind 12 Siemens Gamesa 12 MW turbines produce 130 GWh/year for 70,000 homes
- US offshore wind industry created 2,670 jobs in 2022, up 30% from 2021
- Total capital investment announced $70 billion for US offshore wind projects as of 2023
- Vineyard Wind project investment $4 billion, creating 3,600 jobs peak construction
- Offshore wind displaces 78 million metric tons CO2 annually at 30 GW scale
- Vineyard Wind to avoid 1.9 million tons CO2/year vs fossil fuels
- OSW reduces NOx emissions by 50,000 tons/year at 20 GW deployment
- Inflation Reduction Act provides uncapped PTC at $27/MWh +15% domestic content bonus for OSW
- IRA Section 45X manufacturing tax credit up to $48/kW for monopiles since 2024
- BOEM finalized Wind Energy Area designations for 10 states by 2023
The United States offshore wind industry is growing rapidly with major projects now operational.
Capacity and Generation
- As of 2023, US operational offshore wind capacity is 42 MW from Block Island and CVOW demo
- Vineyard Wind 1 expected to generate 2.4 TWh annually, enough for 400,000 homes
- South Fork Wind 12 Siemens Gamesa 12 MW turbines produce 130 GWh/year for 70,000 homes
- CVOW Commercial (2.6 GW) to generate over 9 million MWh annually
- Revolution Wind 90 turbines to produce 2.4 TWh/year, powering 700,000 homes
- Empire Wind 1 810 MW to generate 2.7 TWh/year
- Park City Wind 804 MW expected output 2.5 TWh annually
- Sunrise Wind 924 MW projected 3 TWh/year
- Total US offshore wind potential estimated at 2,000 GW by NREL
- East Coast technical potential 420 GW within 50 nautical miles
- California floating wind potential 15 GW by 2030
- Gulf of Mexico fixed-bottom potential 50 GW
- US target 30 GW offshore wind by 2030 per Biden-Harris plan
- By 2030, expected 5-8 GW operational, scaling to 40 GW by 2040
- Average capacity factor for US offshore wind projected at 45-50%
- Block Island Wind Farm capacity factor averaged 40% since 2016
- Haliade-X 13-14 MW turbine used in CVOW has 63-67% capacity factor in tests
- Total queued capacity 58 GW as per DOE 2023 report
- Floating offshore wind to contribute 10 GW by 2035 in West Coast visions
- NY Bight projects total 5.6 GW potential
- MA/RI/ CT projects pipeline 7 GW
- NJ projects over 8 GW in development
- Total US wind lease areas support 38 GW nameplate capacity
- Expected annual generation from 30 GW target: 110 TWh, equivalent to 10% of US electricity
- Siemens Gamesa SG 14-222 DD turbine for US projects rated at 14 MW with 240m rotor
- Offshore wind expected to save 500 million metric tons CO2 by 2035
Capacity and Generation Interpretation
Currently, the US offshore wind industry is like a fledgling with a 42 MW whisper off Block Island, but it's gearing up for a 30 GW roar by 2030 that could power millions of homes and shave half a billion metric tons off our carbon footprint.
Economic and Job Impacts
- US offshore wind industry created 2,670 jobs in 2022, up 30% from 2021
- Total capital investment announced $70 billion for US offshore wind projects as of 2023
- Vineyard Wind project investment $4 billion, creating 3,600 jobs peak construction
- South Fork Wind $500 million investment, 400 construction jobs
- Revolution Wind $3 billion, expected 2,000 construction jobs and 140 permanent
- Empire Wind $3 billion investment by Equinor, 1,000+ jobs
- CVOW $4 billion for Phase 1 2.6 GW, 900 jobs
- Offshore wind to generate $86 billion economic value by 2030 per GWEC
- 110,000 jobs projected by 2030 from 30 GW target
- Lease auctions generated $4.9 billion federal revenue since 2014
- NY offshore wind contracts awarded $19 billion for 4.5 GW
- MA solicitations awarded 2.4 GW for $11 billion
- NJ awarded 7.5 GW for $22 billion in contracts
- MD/DE contracts 2.5 GW $5 billion
- Supply chain spend $12 billion announced by 2023
- 17 manufacturing facilities announced for US OSW components
- Average wage in OSW sector $80,000/year, 20% above national average
- $8.5 billion private investment mobilized by DOE loans for OSW ports
- 1,200 port upgrade projects nationwide for OSW, $5 billion investment
- Vineyard Wind economic impact $2.2 billion GDP contribution over lifetime
- Total 5,000 construction jobs at peak for East Coast projects in 2024
- OSW supports 20,000 jobs in planning and development phase 2023
- $1 billion in steel orders for monopiles from US mills for OSW
- Tax revenue from OSW projects projected $2 billion annually by 2030
Economic and Job Impacts Interpretation
While our national discourse often gets tangled in ideological knots, the hard economic math of offshore wind—with tens of billions in investments already creating thousands of high-wage jobs and generating serious revenue—suggests the industry is busy building a new industrial backbone, not just spinning turbines.
Environmental and Sustainability
- Offshore wind displaces 78 million metric tons CO2 annually at 30 GW scale
- Vineyard Wind to avoid 1.9 million tons CO2/year vs fossil fuels
- OSW reduces NOx emissions by 50,000 tons/year at 20 GW deployment
- Floating wind minimizes seabed disturbance compared to fixed-bottom
- Whale strike risk near zero with operational mitigation protocols
- OSW projects require <1% of OCS area, preserving 99% for fisheries
- CVOW bird studies show no significant impact on avian populations
- OSW saves 500,000 tons SO2 emissions yearly at 30 GW
- Turbine foundations host artificial reefs boosting fish biomass 2-3x
- Noise reduction tech limits impact on marine mammals to <120 dB
- OSW water use 90% less than onshore wind per MWh
- Land use zero for OSW vs 100 acres/MW onshore
- Biodiversity enhancement via scour protection in 70% of projects
- PM2.5 reductions equivalent to 10 million cars removed from roads at 30 GW
- Cumulative impact assessments cover 100+ species per project EIS
- Bubble curtains used in 90% pile driving reduce noise by 10-20 dB
- OSW recycling rate target 95% for blades and foundations by 2030
- Minimal visual impact beyond 15 miles, <5% horizon obstruction
- Supports US Paris Agreement goals by 10% renewable increase
- Reduces ocean acidification via lower fossil fuel use
- Pre/post-construction monitoring for 20 years standard
- OSW curtailment <1% vs 5% onshore due to wind consistency
Environmental and Sustainability Interpretation
The evidence is overwhelmingly clear: offshore wind power is a meticulously engineered environmental win, delivering massive clean energy and climate benefits while actively minimizing, mitigating, and even enhancing the marine world it respectfully inhabits.
Policy and Investment
- Inflation Reduction Act provides uncapped PTC at $27/MWh +15% domestic content bonus for OSW
- IRA Section 45X manufacturing tax credit up to $48/kW for monopiles since 2024
- BOEM finalized Wind Energy Area designations for 10 states by 2023
- Biden goal 30 GW OSW by 2030 announced 2021
- $3 billion DOE funding for OSW via BIL/IRA in 2023
- 11 GW OSW contracts awarded in NY solicitations through 2024
- MA Clean Peak Standard requires 2.4 GW OSW by 2027
- NJ targets 11 GW OSW by 2040 via OCEAN Act
- $4.37 billion NY Bight auction 2021, highest ever for renewables
- Gulf of America WAO auction 2024 raised $21 million for 3 areas
- 8(a) program mandates small business participation in OSW contracts
- Jones Act compliance required for all OSW installation vessels
- IRA transferability allows tax credit monetization for developers
- DOE Floating OSW Incubator selected 4 projects 2023 for $3.5M
- CA AB525 mandates 5 GW floating OSW procurement by 2030
- OR HB3560 sets 1.5 GW OSW target by 2030
- MD Climate Act requires 8.5 GW OSW by 2030
- VA Clean Economy Act mandates 3 GW OSW by 2026
- Federal funding $575M for 7 port projects 2024
- BOEM COP approval timeline reduced to 1 year average 2023
- US Coast Guard OSW safety framework finalized 2023
Policy and Investment Interpretation
Congress and the states are throwing money, mandates, and regulatory tailwinds at offshore wind with such ferocity that the industry’s biggest challenge might soon be dodging the falling stacks of cash and paperwork to actually build the turbines.
Project Development
- As of October 2023, the US has approved 13 offshore wind projects totaling 13.9 GW of capacity, with Vineyard Wind 1 (806 MW) being the first to commence operations in late 2024
- BOEM has issued 7 commercial leases off the Atlantic coast covering approximately 2 million acres, capable of supporting up to 25 GW of offshore wind energy
- South Fork Wind project, a 132 MW facility off New York, achieved full operations in 2024, delivering power to Long Island and NYC
- Revolution Wind, a 704 MW project off Rhode Island and Connecticut, received final approval in May 2024 from BOEM
- Empire Wind 1 (810 MW) off New York received Construction and Operations Plan approval in 2023
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) Phase 1, 12 MW demonstration project, fully operational since 2020 with 5 GE Haliade-X turbines
- Vineyard Wind plans to install 65 Siemens Gamesa 15 MW turbines for its 806 MW capacity
- Ocean Wind 1 (1,100 MW) off New Jersey had its COP approved but was cancelled in 2023 due to supply chain issues
- Park City Wind off Massachusetts, 804 MW, under construction with first power expected 2026
- Sunrise Wind (924 MW) off New York, lease held by Ørsted, construction to start 2025
- Atlantic Shores Project 1 (1,100 MW) off NJ, joint venture Equinor and BP
- US Gulf of Mexico has 6 active lease areas totaling nearly 700,000 acres for offshore wind
- California has 4 active lease areas OCS-A 0514 to 0517 covering 373,000 acres
- Oregon Wind Energy Area auctioned in 2021 for $2 million, held by Microsoft and Intermountain Wind & Solar
- Morro Bay Call Area off California identified 400,000 acres for potential wind development
- Total US offshore wind queue as of 2023 stands at 42 GW across 25+ projects
- First floating offshore wind lease auction in California Pacific OCS in 2024 for up to 5 GW
- Hawaii floating wind lease process initiated with 2 areas up to 2.5 GW total
- New York Bight auction in 2021 raised $4.37 billion from 4 lessees for 800,000 acres
- Gulf of Maine floating wind areas designated 2023 covering 1 million acres
- Maryland Offshore Renewal Energies (MORE) 1,100 MW project in development
- Virginia Beach Offshore Wind project 2,640 MW proposed by US Wind
- Total leased capacity in US East Coast exceeds 25 GW as of 2024
- Block Island Wind Farm (30 MW) was the first US commercial offshore wind project, operational since 2016
- Skipjack Wind (120 MW) off Maryland, first power 2026
- MarWin and Mar Breeze off Maryland, 1,707 MW total
- US Wind's Momentum Wind 252 MW off Maryland
- Total 20 lease areas auctioned since 2014, generating $4.9 billion in revenue
- Central Atlantic auction planned for 2024 with 4 areas up to 4 GW
- Kitty Hawk Wind off NC/VA, 1,386 MW, in development
Project Development Interpretation
America's offshore wind industry is building out from a humble five-turbine start like a determined underdog finally hitting its stride, now poised to harness enough ocean breezes to power millions of homes while navigating the choppy waters of supply chains and economics.
Supply Chain and Workforce
- 25 turbine orders placed totaling 5 GW by US developers 2023
- 12 Jones Act compliant vessels under construction for OSW by 2027
- Siemens Gamesa Mystic factory CT producing blades for 15 MW turbines, 200 jobs
- GE Vernova Portsmouth facility blades for Haliade-X, 823 jobs
- Vestas Colorado plant for turbine components, 1,000+ workers
- Ørsted/Armor US cable factory NY, $100M investment, 250 jobs
- Equinor Steelwind Towers LA facility, 300 jobs
- EEW SPC Paulsboro NJ monopile plant, 500 construction jobs
- Trinity McHenry MS tower sections for OSW
- LM Wind Power Little Rock AR blades, 350 jobs
- 54 domestic suppliers in ACP database 2024, up from 30 in 2022
- 1,100 vessels needed for OSW installation by 2030
- Workforce training programs funded $50M DOE for 20,000 workers
- Community Offshore Wind Collaborative trained 500 workers 2023
- 15 GW turbine supply secured for US projects through 2030
- Domestic content 20% average for OSW projects 2024, targeting 55% by 2026
- Cable manufacturing capacity 10 GW announced US
- Foundations contracts for 3 GW monopiles placed 2023
- HVDC technology development for OSW with $60M ARPA-E funding
Supply Chain and Workforce Interpretation
While America’s offshore wind dreams were once built on European blueprints and hope, today they’re being forged in Connecticut steel, Louisiana towers, New York cables, and the hands of thousands of newly trained workers—proving a clean energy future is not just imported, but hired, welded, and assembled right here.
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