Chamber Led Study Recommends Connecticut Step Up Its Offshore Wind Game

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, alongside Eversource and Ørsted, commissioned a report done by McAllister Marine Engineering LLC, Embracing the Potential of Offshore Wind in Connecticut: A Study of Opportunities and Challenges, that offers recommendations for the state to better harness the benefits of the offshore wind industry, emphasizing the state’s deep-water ports, stellar supply chain, manufacturing ability, and skilled workforce. “The report highlights the economic opportunities available and our advantages in attracting those opportunities, and challenges that can keep the state from realizing the maximum potential offered by offshore wind power,” says The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut President and CEO, Tony Sheridan.  Offshore wind is already an increasingly sought after source of renewable energy as the price continues to drop and many states like CT make clean energy goals. Existing wind farms, Revolution Wind in New London, developed by Eversource and Orsted, and Park City Wind in Bridgeport, developed by Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, offer the region economic development opportunities, job growth, and increased revenue. A big advocate for renewable and sustainable energy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said, “We are encouraged by the fact that we have the assets in place to secure Connecticut’s role as a leader in the offshore wind industry and renewable energy.” Also saying, “We look forward to supporting our private sector partners as we further strengthen our position in this emerging industry and maximize its benefits to the environment, job growth, economic development and our future as a state.” Sheridan said the report offers a “detailed analysis of the industry and a guide for businesses looking to expand by pivoting from their current operations to add the billion-dollar offshore wind industry to their portfolios.” Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) even featured the report on their website, highlighting CT’s need to leverage offshore wind opportunities.  Report highlights include: Deep water ports, unobstructed access to open water, the aerospace industry, and high-tech supply chain serving submarine manufacturers make CT a superior location for offshore wind Many pre-existing manufacturing businesses have the potential to grow their business with new demand The prevalent aerospace industry features highly skilled workers in electrical discharge machining, a skill set also used in the complex geometries of each wind turbine CT cannot succeed and thrive alone, it truly is a regional effort European developers may choose to utilize their existing non-U.S. based manufacturing facilities if there is a lack of support, or fierce competition, resulting in the loss of potential new jobs, and economic development opportunities With thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars of new investments on the line, the report makes it clear, the time is now, and the “once in a generation” opportunity is here. CT must leverage the offshore wind industry and work within the region to secure a better, cleaner, and more prosperous future and economy for all.  Learn more, check out the full report here

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Jessica Bergman.

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NC Chamber leaders gather for offshore wind industry summit

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy hosted its first-ever Chamber of Commerce North Carolina Offshore Wind Summit on Friday October 27 in Wilmington, NC, a hot spot area for offshore wind development. Chamber and economic development leaders heard from experts in the industry and saw firsthand the $109 billion economic potential of offshore wind (OSW) through supply chain opportunities and development off the coast. 

Presenters included:

• John Hardin, Executive Director, North Carolina Dept. of Commerce

• Ashley McLeod, Stakeholder Engagement Director, Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project at Avangrid Renewables

• Ed Conner, President, SpanSet

• Jeff Andreini, Vice President New Energy Services and Arketa Howard, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, Business Policy and Affairs for Offshore Wind with Crowley Marine Services

• Jaime Simmons, Southeastern Wind Coalition

• Mark Fleming, President and CEO, Conservatives for Clean Energy and former President and CEO, Wake Forest, NC Chamber of Commerce

The Wilmington (NC) Chamber of Commerce has seen the impacts offshore wind has had on their local economy and welcomes new development. “I’m so excited for the opportunity and growth brought by offshore wind,” says Megan Mullins, Wilmington Chamber. 

Responding to NC Governor Cooper’s goal of 30 GW of OSW development in the state; several speakers noted the much-anticipated opportunity for new jobs creation and economic growth for the state. “The 30GW target for offshore wind will be big for the economy and for supply chain organizations including steel production,” says Frank Fisher, Nucor. 

Additionally, with over 8,000 components in a wind turbine, there is plenty of opportunity for NC’s 55 wind energy supply chain companies to expand their manufacturing base to support the OSW industry. John Hardin with the North Carolina Department of Commerce honed in on the supply chain opportunities, “Whether you’re on the coast or in the mountains, the state of North Carolina can benefit from offshore wind supply chain opportunities.” Ed Conner with SpanSet said, “Offshore wind is a big opportunity and billion dollar market for supply chain businesses.”

Current NC OSW plans include Avangrid Renewables’ Kitty Hawk Wind project off the coast of Corolla. Over the next decade the project will bring in billions of dollars, including $1.5 billion in construction activities and sales, alone. Ashley McLeod, Lead- OSW Public Affairs, Avangrid Renewables, shared the new clean energy job opportunities for current and upcoming workforce in the state and said, “This is my advice to chambers, you should reach out to your local schools and show kids that the offshore wind industry is a great option for them, with high paying jobs without a 4 year degree.” 

Addressing how NC residents perceive OSW, Jaime Simmons, Southeast Wind Coalition (SEWC) Program Manager, joined the group to bust some OSW myths and share results from a recent study conducted for SEWC. That survey found that 7 in 10 people are supportive of OSW in North Carolina. “We found support for offshore wind in North Carolina across political parties, and many demographics,” said Simmons. 

Ambitious goals paired with ambitious leaders will fuel the clean energy economy and provide opportunities for chamber members and communities across the state. “There isn’t a more valuable ally than local chamber executive and economic development leaders in clean energy development,” says Mark Fleming, Conservatives for Clean Energy. “Chambers are the perfect conveners to be able to get the right information on the table.” 

100 NC Business and Chamber Leaders Discuss Economic Opportunities of Offshore Wind

Last week over 100 chambers of commerce and business leaders from North Carolina participated in CICE’s offshore wind webinar co-hosted with the Southeastern Wind Coalition. The webinar featured Chris Chung from Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Chad Beard from Nucor Steel Corporation,  Amy Braswell from the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce, and Andy Geissbuehler of BVG Associates.  With $100 Billion in investment and 80,000 jobs in play with the US offshore wind industry, the economic benefits were highlighted in the webinar for North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind, located 27 miles off the coast of the Outer Banks and developed by Avangrid Renewables as well as the potential development off the coast of Wilmington.   Attendees heard from industry experts including BVG Associates, who will join North Carolina State University and other partners to conduct an offshore wind supply chain and infrastructure study. Other speakers discussed the economic development opportunity ahead for North Carolina with offshore wind including job creation and the vast supply chain needed to support it.  Amy Braswell, Director of the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce shared, “We are eagerly anticipating the development and operation of (both the offshore wind fields in our region). Hertford County is very well situated to participate in supply chain and workforce development for both the VA and the NC offshore projects.” She continued “I am a sailor and know firsthand that it takes a blend of energy sources to meet all needs and occasions on our boat. Why would we as a community or State not want the same?” When speaking about attracting offshore wind companies and supply chain firms, including manufacturing and service activity, Chris Chung, CEO of Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina said “we want an unfair share to be here in North Carolina.”  You can watch the recording of the webinar here For more information about the economic benefits of all clean energy development in North Carolina, contact Susan Munroe at susan@chambersforinnovation.com.

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