Offshore Wind Energy
Offshore wind resources have the potential to be a significant domestic renewable energy source and many countries around the world are already taking advantage of their resource. Europe is the leader in offshore wind, with the first offshore wind farm installed in Denmark nearly 25 years ago. There are currently 5 gigawatts (GW) of installed offshore wind in Europe and approximately 35,000 (full time equivalent) jobs have been created. Currently, the U.S. installed its first offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island. Additional projects are being pursued in the Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates the entire offshore wind resource potential for the United States at more than 4,000 GW and this includes the Great Lakes. However, when taking into consideration competing ocean uses and environmentally sensitive areas, this number lowers to approximately 2,400 GW, which is still more than double the combined generating capacity of all U.S. electric power plants.
Through the development of offshore wind, the United States has the opportunity to boost the economy while producing a reliable and clean resource to meet growing energy demands. Many coastal cities are experiencing a rapid population growth and offshore wind could provide energy in close proximity to coastal electricity loads, while meeting current high-energy demands. Offshore wind energy also has the opportunity to revive economically declining ports by creating manufacturing opportunities.
Offshore wind resources have the potential to be a significant domestic renewable energy source and many countries around the world are already taking advantage of their resource. Europe is the leader in offshore wind, with the first offshore wind farm installed in Denmark nearly 25 years ago. There are currently 5 gigawatts (GW) of installed offshore wind in Europe and approximately 35,000 (full time equivalent) jobs have been created. Currently, the U.S. installed its first offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island. Additional projects are being pursued in the Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates the entire offshore wind resource potential for the United States at more than 4,000 GW and this includes the Great Lakes. However, when taking into consideration competing ocean uses and environmentally sensitive areas, this number lowers to approximately 2,400 GW, which is still more than double the combined generating capacity of all U.S. electric power plants.
Through the development of offshore wind, the United States has the opportunity to boost the economy while producing a reliable and clean resource to meet growing energy demands. Many coastal cities are experiencing a rapid population growth and offshore wind could provide energy in close proximity to coastal electricity loads, while meeting current high-energy demands. Offshore wind energy also has the opportunity to revive economically declining ports by creating manufacturing opportunities.