Offshore Wind to be Next Clean Energy Source

According to a recent report, around 6 GW of offshore wind projects have been proposed along the Atlantic coast that should power about 1.5 million average U.S. homes each year. The Atlantic Ocean has over 212 GW wind resources in shallow waters where current technology prevails.

Connecticut has only a modest potential, but New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts have about 90 GW of wind potential, 38 GW of this is commercially viable when environment and socio-economic factors are taken into consideration. The report shows a chart for each state’s offshore wind resource, segregating the data by water depth and distance offshore.

Currently, 984 offshore turbines are spinning in Europe with not a one along the Atlantic coast, according to Curtis Fisher, offshore wind initiative leader at the National Wildlife Federation. The proposed projects should protect marine life and create job opportunities.

The report, Offshore Wind in the Atlantic: Growing Momentum for Jobs, Energy Independence, Clean Air, and Wildlife Protection, states that every state having offshore wind potential from Maine to Georgia has taken some steps forward in this direction. Northern states (Maine to Maryland) have advanced projects while Southern states (Virginia to Georgia) are initiating a series of projects. Shallow water and wind speeds make it ideal for installing wind farms. 93%wind projects globally are in shallow waters (zero to 30 meters deep).

Existing data gaps for the Atlantic Ocean and site-specific impacts are yet to be evaluated. A coordinated and comprehensive effort is needed to enhance the permitting process.