Offshore Wind Energy: Demand, Impacts and Developments

In March of 2021, the Biden administration established a national offshore wind energy target to install 30 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. This ambitious goal was intended to not only help reduce dependency on fossil fuels, but also establish a new and sustainable renewable energy industry. Chapter 1 characterizes the challenges and opportunities facing the domestic supply chain industry and evaluates its potential benefits. The floating offshore wind energy industry is growing rapidly worldwide because of the vast wind resource and the potential for fewer conflicts with other human uses and the environment. Chapters 2 and 3 describe the requirements for ports to support floating offshore wind manufacturing, installation, and/or service activities, and estimate the investment and time frames required to construct these ports. Chapter 4 looks at new rulemaking actions affecting wind energy and other renewable energy projects on the U.S. outer continental shelf. Chapter 5 examines restrictions on foreigners working in the U.S. offshore energy sector.