An intern’s voyage to see the power of offshore wind firsthand
Chambers for Clean Energy and Innovation brought together over 30 leaders in business, energy, and economic development on a voyage to see the power of offshore wind first hand. Here are 6 takeaways from an intern lucky enough to be invited for the ride.
1. Offshore Wind is an Economic Powerhouse That Doesn't Stop After Construction
It’s difficult to pay attention to a slide show presentation at the best of times, and standing on the lower deck of a rocking boat in the heavy Virginia heat is certainly not the best of times. Nevertheless, John Larson, Dominion Energy’s Director of Public Policy and Economic Development, managed to make the impressive economic impacts of Dominion’s new Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind installation crystal clear.
During construction alone from 2020 to 2026, the installation is projected to generate 900 new Virginia jobs each year along with over $143 million in economic output. But it doesn’t stop there, following construction, the facility is expected to continue supporting more than 1,100 jobs each year in the Hampton Roads region alone while producing millions of dollars in tax benefits for state and local governments.
2. The Turbines are Really Far Away
After we set off, it took nearly 90 minutes of hopeful squinting until I could catch even a glimpse of the gently spinning turbines low on the horizon. Even once the project is totally built out, the only people who will be able to see the hardware are the hundreds of employees who will work to maintain it and perhaps the occasional energy nerd who manages to charter a boat.
3. They are Nearly Silent
One of the biggest misconceptions I had about offshore wind was that it would be deafening. As we got within 100 feet of the monoliths, I waited for loud mechanical whines and hums, but was greeted only by the soft sound of radio static from another room as we sailed under the spinning arms.
4. They are Stunning
When I was a kid I never really understood why my friends were so obsessed with steam rollers, excavators, and all the other big machines, but as I stood beneath the whooshing arms of the largest piece of technology I had ever seen, I got it. These behemoth structures (somehow the smaller of the two turbine types Dominion plans to use for the project) with stocks wide enough to drive a bus through and arms so long that they have to turn sideways when winds are too high lest their outer tip break the sound barrier can only be reliably described as “bigger than you expect”. Seeing these monoliths up close, I felt an incredible sense of pride in my country and excitement about the next technologies that the clean energy revolution will inspire.
5. Environmental Precautions are Extensive
Employing threatened species observers, listening for whale calls, and equipping turbines with avian research equipment, Dominion Energy is taking its environmental obligations seriously and going above and beyond to minimize the impact of the project. Any project that promises to power 660,000 homes is certain to have some consequences for the environment around it, but Dominion is working extremely hard to keep these consequences at an absolute minimum.
6. Offshore Wind is Party Blind
Our tour group was made of a diverse group of leaders from a variety of political backgrounds united under the banner of clean energy. The most incredible thing about clean energy projects like the offshore wind installation we had the privilege to tour is that the environmental and economic benefits each justify the venture entirely on their own. Whether you believe we need to take decisive action to address climate change or simply recognize these projects for the huge economic engines that they are, it’s clear that the clean energy transition is well underway and that our nation is better for it.
Research:
900 direct and indirect Virginia jobs annually (about 60 percent in Hampton Roads)
Almost $57 million in pay and benefits
Over $143 million in economic output
Generating almost $2 million in revenues for local governments in the Hampton Roads area, and an additional $3 million in Virginia state tax revenues.