Oceantic Network

Oceantic Network is the premier member-based organization dedicated to growing the offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains.

Unlocking the Gulf of Mexico’s Offshore Wind Energy Potential

Stakeholders

The Network’s report Unlocking the Gulf of Mexico’s Offshore Wind Energy Potential addresses the region’s unique potential for offshore wind development. Authored in partnership with GNO Wind Alliance, the report coincides with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) first lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2023. 

The report’s detailed examination of the Gulf of Mexico includes key information on the region’s offshore wind supply chain opportunities, associated challenges, and the work being done to address these hurdles. It also provides insight for businesses looking to take advantage of this new frontier for the U.S. offshore wind industry noting the Gulf of Mexico’s robust offshore oil and gas experience and strong supply chain, which has the potential to catapult offshore wind growth in the region. Noting, however, the potential hurdles including extreme weather and low winds that the region must overcome to be successful. Unlocking the Gulf of Mexico’s Offshore Wind Energy Potential provides a snapshot of the distinct opportunity that is offshore wind in the Gulf of Mexico. 

The 2023 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report includes insights into federal, state, and private sector actions that lay at the center of this rapid market acceleration, committed the U.S. to a path of decarbonization and allocated billions for infrastructure. It also outlines efforts by the Biden-Harris administration to bring certainty to the permitting system, creating the foundation of a coherent national industrial strategy to build up a domestic offshore wind manufacturing base and accelerate industry development.  

The proprietary 2023 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report is available only to members of the Oceantic Network. Active members can access the report by logging into the member portal.

Access and view the 2023 Market Report.

The Oceantic Network releases its U.S. Offshore Wind Quarterly Market Report in April, July, October, and January. Each quarterly report builds off our  U.S. Offshore Wind Annual Market Report and provides key analysis of both federal and state government activities impacting the U.S. offshore wind industry. Quarterly Reports ensure companies are informed on offshore wind industry developments affecting their business.  

The second three months of 2023 (Q2) are notable for the achievement of “steel in the water” on the nation’s first two commercial-scale projects and several firsts for the U.S. supply chain, but continued cost increases have caused challenges for developers that are likely to lead to some project delays. In addition to the Q2 report a 2023 mid-year snapshot is available for download.

The report details important developments that affected the U.S. offshore wind industry in the second quarter of 2023, including: 

  • The many recent firsts for the U.S. supply chain, including the first U.S.-built offshore wind substation and monopiles, along with the first cables manufactured for a U.S. commercial-scale project. 
  • New investments in steel manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Baltimore and a California port’s ambitious $4.7 billion plan for a major floating offshore wind facility.
  • Economic headwinds that have forced projects in Massachusetts and New York to adjust their state financial agreements and led to new legislation passed in New Jersey aimed at supporting one of its projects.  New offshore wind markets — adding to the existing 84 GW demand — in Delaware, Illinois, and Maine, which have all considered or advanced new procurement legislation, and Louisiana, which is negotiating with developers to advance projects in state waters. 

The Oceantic Network releases its U.S. Offshore Wind Quarterly Market Report in April, July, October, and January. Each quarterly report builds off our  U.S. Offshore Wind Annual Market Report and provides key analysis of both federal and state government activities impacting the U.S. offshore wind industry. Quarterly Reports ensure companies are informed on offshore wind industry developments affecting their business.  

The first three months of 2023 (Q1) are covered by the Q1 2023 U.S. Offshore Wind Market Report.

The Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States is a collaborative study co-authored by the Oceantic Network  and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and in collaboration with the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium, the U.S. Department of Energy, DNV, the Maryland Energy Administration, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.  

The report identifies pathways to developing a domestic offshore wind supply chain that can manufacture and deploy the major components needed to set the United States on a pathway to installing 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 110 GW by 2050. The report estimates the investment amount the U.S. supply chain could require this decade to meet an annual demand for components, ports, and vessels in 2030. These key investments would allow the industry to install billions worth of offshore wind by reducing risk of delays due to global supply chain bottlenecks and creating a robust network of assets that will continue to be effective well beyond 2030. The report takes into account the manufacturing facilities capabilities and needs, job creation potential across multiple industries, from port and vessel development to turbine installation and maintenance, and more. Importantly, the report also provides proposed actions policymakers, industry, and supply chain companies can implement to build out a sustainable domestic supply chain. 

Download the Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind Energy in the United States. The group previously published its initial findings in 2022 in The Demand for a Domestic Supply Chain in March 2022.  

The Oceantic Network’s Proposal for Coordinated Transmission Development for Offshore Wind in Multi-State RTOs outlines a framework for greater regional collaboration on offshore wind transmission planning and buildout. The policy brief, authored by John Dalton, President of Power Advisory LLC and head of the Network’s Grid & Transmission Working Group, was released ahead of the expected published results of New Jersey’s offshore wind transmission solicitation to connect 7.5 GW of generation to the grid. The brief builds upon the evident success of the state’s transmission solicitation, which spurred dozens of private sector bids, and offers a framework for multi-state transmission solicitations within the same regional transmission organization (RTO).

The policy brief outlines five key principles to developing a multi-state transmission solicitation, from accessing potential environmental and economic benefits to developing cost allocation proposals. Key insights, especially learning from New Jersey’s State Agreement Approach, include the need for proactive engagement of an RTO, the need for a robust analysis of potential costs and benefits, and a well-defined policy objectives to guide any solicitation.

This is the third publication of the Network’s Grid & Transmission Working Group, which previously laid out the need for coordinated transmission planning and argued federal government action would be instrumental in driving long-term and large-scale grid planning in its first two reports.

Download the Coordinated Transmission Development for Offshore Wind in Multi-State RTOs

Sign up for updates

Contact Us

Oceantic Network
1340 Smith Avenue
Baltimore Maryland, 21209
CareersGet In Touch

Info For

Featured Events