The British Consulate-General in Boston, Mass. commissioned a US offshore wind industry analysis and found opportunities available for U.K. companies to enter the growing U.S. market. The analysis by global consultancy firm Xodus researched the local and regional supply chain around Massachusetts and carried out an assessment and gap analysis for Hampton Roads and the southern Virginia region.
“I’m delighted that the Xodus analysis has identified so many opportunities for U.K. companies to support the growing US offshore wind industry with their experience and expertise,” said Dr. Peter Abbott OBE, New England’s British consul general.
“There is a significant benefit from first mover advantage in the developing the U.S. supply chain. The ambitious federal offshore wind capacity targets are creating project demand to warrant a long-term U.S. supply chain. There are significant export opportunities for U.K. supply chain companies throughout the offshore wind project phases, however these appear to be strongest in project development, construction and O&M services where U.K. companies can offer both established and innovative solutions based on their experience supporting domestic offshore wind projects,” said Hillary Bright, U.S. VP for Renewables at Xodus.
All contracted offshore wind farms under development in the US are located on the east coast. It is anticipated that $80 billion in CAPEX expenditures will be made in developing the industry by 2030, and that up to 80,000 jobs will be created. With the recent Record of Decision granted to Vineyard Wind I, the first commercial scale U.S. offshore wind farm, it is anticipated that the approval of the other projects in the pipeline will accelerate.
There is a push to develop local content in the U.S. offshore wind industry, and states are eager to attract industries that support all phases of wind farm development, construction and operations. It is expected that these industries will cluster around eastern U.S. ports, and the growth of a supporting supply chain will quickly follow.
“A critical consideration for companies looking to enter the U.S. offshore wind market is where to establish a presence. Supply chain clusters in the U.K. have been seen to support the development of unique skills and technology solutions in the offshore wind sector,” said Hannah Webb, trade officer of offshore wind and clean energy for the U.K. Department for International Trade.
“With the intel that Xodus is providing, we are working to understand the location and strengths of potential US supply chain hubs and strategizing successful market entry for companies from the Northern Powerhouse, U.K. These companies have significant offshore wind development experience in the U.K., Europe, and even Asia, to offer to the US market and we are building impactful partnerships around the clusters and ports that Xodus has identified along the east coast of the U.S.,” Webb added.
More info www.xodusgroup.com
