USA - US needs $36 billion to meet offshore wind 'port infrastructure gap'
Some $36 billion is needed to address the US’s offshore wind port infrastructure gap over the next decade, according to a new report.
Trade group the Business Network for Offshore Wind released the report, Building a National Network of Offshore Wind Ports, along with Clean Energy Terminals, an offshore wind port developer.
According to the report, a lack of port infrastructure is one of the most significant bottlenecks impeding the US offshore wind industry.
Port capacity will continue to be a major constraint across the country without additional government funding and policy supports that incentivise or derisk private investment in offshore wind, the report said.
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The estimated $36 billion cost to level up port infrastructure was calculated on the assumption the US would reach its offshore wind goals of 30GW by 2030 and 110GW by 2050.
To meet these targets, the US needs between 99 and 119 port development sites across the east coast, west coast and the Gulf of Mexico to support the full buildout of the industry, with a third of those needed on the west coast to support new offshore wind projects.
The country currently has 35 suitable ports operating or under development.
