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Steel, Scale, and Strategy: The Manufacturing Opportunity Behind U.S. Offshore Wind

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As the current pipeline of offshore wind projects moves forward, the United States will need a more developed steel supply chain ready to deliver 22 million tons of steel. That’s the equivalent to building 239 Golden Gate bridges or 266 Empire State Buildings.  

The central message from a 2026 IPF panel, “Steel, Scale, and Strategy: Shaping the U.S. Energy Supply Chain of the Future,” is that, in many ways, this is a plate story. Ultra-thick, specialized steel forms the backbone of every offshore wind farm — from foundations to transition pieces to towers and secondary structures. And according to panelists, American steel mills are not standing idle. They have invested, modernized, and expanded to prepare for this market opportunity, which is exceptionally attractive due to the long-term volume and multi-decade commercial demand. The U.S. mill sector could supply more than three-quarters of the steel required for major componentfabrication today. Ergo, what the nation lacks is not plate steel but fabrication capacity. 

Maf Smith, Founding Director at Lumen Energy & Environment, whose new study with Oceantic Network inspired the discussion, argues that offshore wind presents more than an energy opportunity. It is an industrial one. The numbers, he suggests, point toward a broader reindustrialization — if the country chooses to act. Peter Lion, Senior Advisor at NYSERDA, brought a unique state’s perspective when he described those plate mills as critical infrastructure. Their availability, he noted, can serve as the catalyst for larger fabrication investments. And he emphasized another strategic asset: time. The present moment allows for qualification, planning, and deliberate buildout before the next wave begins construction. 

Timothy Mack, Vice President of U.S. Content at US Wind, called for a fundamental domestic program. The first phase of American offshore wind projects was closely tied to parallel supply chain development. By taking early and integral steps now, future manufacturing investments may be unshackled from the risks of single anchor projects. 

In short, the steel is here. The mills are running. The question is whether fabrication will follow. And the key is striking while the iron is hot — which requires steady and predictable permitting pathway that will enable this American-made buildout. 

As energy affordability continues to dominate headlines, the offshore wind industry has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to reclaim the narrative. In a recent panel moderated by seasoned communicators from state agencies to national advocacy organizations, the discussion focused on practical, grounded ways to counter misinformation and strengthen public trust.

A consistent message is the importance of pairing real data with real people. Lisa Engler, Deputy Managing Director at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, pointed to this year’s remarkable count of North Atlantic right whale calf births, the highest since 2011. The milestone comes as five offshore wind projects were simultaneously under construction, proving that project advancement and marine life protection can coexist. At the same time, tangible progress is visible offshore, with all 62 of Vineyard Wind’s turbines now standing, representing one of the largest offshore energy infrastructure achievements in the nation.

Erin McLean, Communications Director at Turn Forward, emphasized the power of authentic messengers. Fishermen who are now working on offshore wind projects in New England, she explained, bring unmatched credibility when speaking about coexistence, benefits, and lived experience. “We have to elevate those fantastic messengers,” she said.

Panelist Abby Watson of The Groundwire Group emphasized urgency and clarity in communication. “Silence is deadly right now,” she warned. By grounding messaging in community-level impacts, from jobs to cleaner air, communicators can help audiences understand not just what offshore wind is, but why it matters. Watson pointed to debates like New York City’s transmission cable routing as examples where controversy often overshadows the bigger picture: without new clean power infrastructure, communities remain dependent on polluting peaker plants and the health impacts that come with them.

With energy once again a top‑three issue for voters, something not seen at this scale since the 1970s, the panelists stressed that the industry must clearly connect offshore wind to affordability, reliability, and modernization. As Watson put it, infrastructure upgrades should follow the same logic communities already apply: “When your state replaces a bridge or highway, they don’t use 20‑year‑old technology.”

The takeaway is unmistakable: offshore wind is no longer a future promise; it is here, happening now. And with clear, consistent, community‑focused storytelling, the industry can help the public see that too.

Learn more about other takeaways from Oceantic’s IPF Week here.

Offshore wind is more than a single energy technology: it’s a cornerstone of secure infrastructure, domestic supply chains, and maritime capability in a world of surging electricity demand.  

That framing shaped the 2026 IPF session, “The Role of Offshore Energy in Achieving American Dominance,” which explained how viewing offshore wind as national power infrastructure can help unlock greater grid resilience, industrial capacity, allied energy security, and U.S. geopolitical leadership. 

Moderator Jason Ryan (Founder & Principal, Ryan Strategic Communications), set the tone of the conversation, explaining that by leading with fact-based analysis and keeping defense coordination front-and-center, the U.S. can lead––not follow––in the next energy chapter.  

Offshore Wind as Strategic Infrastructure 

Offshore wind provides steady power to coastal demand centers, helps stabilize the grid, bolsters advanced manufacturing and steel production, underpins other critical infrastructure sectors, and its vessel, port, and crew requirements significantly bolster American’s maritime presence and capabilities. In short, it is strategic infrastructure that tightens the link between energy security and economic security, explained panelist Leslie Abrahams (Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)). 

Building on that frame, panelist Commander Kirk Lippold (Ret. U.S. Navy), connected those outputs directly to national objectives: explaining how offshore wind can deliver energy dominance and restore U.S. leadership in an arena where other nations are rapidly advancing. Lippold cautioned that while the U.S. debates its offshore wind future, China is building, manufacturing, and exporting at breakneck speed. The nation is also using offshore wind as a geopolitical tool, he said, exporting turbines and securing footholds in regions like South America—creating 30‑ to 40‑year leverage over countries that rely on Chinese-built infrastructure.  

Both speakers emphasized the importance of focusing on the risks of under-investing in this technology, rather than arguments over the mitigation of perceived security concerns. Abrahams stressed that the biggest concerns are missing out on the second-order economic and industrial spillovers that strengthen U.S. competitiveness, such as lost industrial capacity, reduced supply chain resilience, and diminished geopolitical standing. 

“This is not a wait-and-see moment,” Abrahams told the audience.  

With offshore wind capacity projected to triple within five years—and Europe targeting 100 GW of joint offshore wind capacity in the North Sea—choices made now will shape international technology and security standards for decades. Opting out doesn’t stop the process—it just means it proceeds without U.S. influence, Lippold warned. He cautioned that stepping back would cede market share and strategic leverage to foreign competitors creating vulnerabilities for the U.S. and allies as supply chains, software, and critical parts consolidate abroad. 

National Security Benefits and Defense Integration 

On integration with defense operations, Lippold emphasized that U.S. offshore wind projects undergo extensive environmental and Department of Defense reviews, including radar and communications impact studies. Identified effects are mitigated through software, firmware, and—critically—operator training. The Navy’s routine operations around turbines build proficiency across subsurface, surface, and air domains, improving combat readiness and the ability to safeguard global sea lanes. While turbines don’t provide physical cover, Lippold explained they can introduce tactical ambiguity that complicates adversary decision‑making and supports deterrence.   

Panelists also noted that offshore arrays have the potential to support broader security objectives, and that developers have indicated their commitment to supporting national security. Industry awareness and existing mitigation efforts demonstrate a commitment from offshore wind developers to address national security concerns. And natural opportunities exist to invest in dual-use technologies that can serve both theoffshore wind and defense industries.  

Today, the offshore wind supply chain touches more than 40 states, from component manufacturing to logistics and workforce development. With more than $40 billion already invested across the industry, projects are revitalizing local economies and strengthening assets that also support defense logistics. Building that expertise domestically boosts competitiveness beyond power generation. 

The bottom line: Treat offshore wind as strategic infrastructure. Build the narrative with facts and keep the defense community engaged. Ultimately, both speakers emphasized that the greater national security risk lies in not advancing projects that harden the grid, grow domestic manufacturing, and strengthen allied resilience. 

For the second year in a row, Nova Scotia delivered one of the most forward looking energy perspectives at Oceantic’s annual IPF conference. 

Surrounded by more than 8,000 miles of coastline, Nova Scotia has long been known as Canada’s ocean playground. But today, that geography is also the foundation of an energy transformation. The province’s prosperity, as Premier Tim Houston emphasized, is inseparable from its natural resources—resources that cannot be shipped elsewhere. “We can’t take our tides or winds somewhere else,” he noted. “So, we intend to use them responsibly, strategically, and for the good of our people.” 

That philosophy underpins Nova Scotia’s push to contribute meaningfully to the Premier’s goal of making Canada an energy superpower, what he called “firing on all turbines.” Wind, natural gas, hydrogen, and carbon storage aren’t competing priorities, he argued; they are complementary opportunities that leverage the same workforce and supply chain to build a practical, balanced energy system. 

Offshore wind, however, stands at the center of this moment. With some of the most powerful and consistent wind resources in the world—representing a 60 GW potential—the province’s flagship Wind West initiative is designed to scale, build, and scale again. Favorable seabed conditions under 100 meters and an established regulatory framework gives Nova Scotia a headstart. “Nothing kills a project faster than a broken regulatory system,” he said, which is an advantage Nova Scotia intends to keep. 

Wind West alone could supply a quarter of Canada’s energy needs, and the province is preparing the path to market, including tens of billions of dollars in transmission infrastructure. The vision stretches decades ahead: new jobs, industrial growth, and an energy platform capable of supporting the next generation. 

Why This Matters for U.S. Companies and Future Collaboration  

Nova Scotia’s momentum is not only a Canadian opportunity—it’s a North American one. For U.S. companies, the proximity, shared workforce capabilities, and compatible regulatory frameworks open doors across fabrication, port development, vessel services, transmission, hydrogen production, and storage. Many of the components and services Nova Scotia will need mirror those already required in the U.S. offshore wind sector, creating natural synergies and economies of scale. 

This moment creates space for deep regional collaboration—from coordinated supply chain buildout to joint workforce development, shared vessel operations, and cross-border transmission planning. As both Canada and U.S. states pursue grid modernization and clean energy expansion, Nova Scotia’s projects can become part of a broader, integrated Atlantic energy corridor benefiting businesses and communities on both sides of the border. 

With strong federal alignment and an open invitation to industry, the call to action was clear: Nova Scotia is ready to explore, innovate, and build. “Let’s get moving,” he said. “Let’s make it happen together.” 

As the final session of the 2026 International Partnering Forum (IPF), “Playing the Long Game: Preparing for the Next Chapter of Offshore Energy” served as the conference’s capstone conversation.  

Framed around IPF’s theme of “Reimagine, Renew, Reignite,” the session left attendees with clarity, direction, and momentum—distilling a week’s worth of conversations into one forward‑looking dialogue focused on action. 

Moderated by Jen Brock, Chief Development Officer at the Oceantic Network, the session was a reminder that the industry has entered its most defining period yet. Alongside three leaders representingadvocacy, communications, and labor, the panel tackled a central question facing the offshore wind sector: How do we use this pivotal moment not to pause, but to prepare? 

Reigniting Confidence with Real‑World Data, Clear Narrative, and Local Value 

The discussion opened with a reminder that while the past year brought turbulence, the industry is no longer operating on projections alone. Projects are delivering power and real‑world data now exists to validate offshore wind’s performance, economic benefits, and environmental value—evidence that simply didn’t exist at this scale five years ago.  

The panel emphasized that this data gives the industry a strong foundation, but only if stakeholders protect it, use it, and communicate it effectively. 

It’s a powerful tool for combatting the mismatch between public perception and reality, as well as building durable political support in the coming years. Offshore wind now has the data, but not the dominant narrative, explained Raquel Pichardo, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of The Groundwire Group. To win trust, she urged the industry to: 

  • Prioritize what communities care about: affordability, health, and reliability  
  • Share consistent messages across states, agencies, and developers  
  • Elevate local messengers—workers, small businesses, fishermen, and community leaders—who can speak authentically to the benefits 

Silence, she warned, is the industry’s biggest risk. It leaves space for misinformation to fill the void. A focus on framing offshore wind through local economic pride and community benefits will also be critical for depoliticizing offshore wind, said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. 

The industry’s next phase, she argued, must anchor support in lived experiences—not just policy goals. Jobs, manufacturing, homegrown energy, and long‑term cost stability resonate far more deeply with voters than abstract climate messaging.  

Building on that point, Ed Hill Jr., International Representative for Business Development at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), reminded the audience that readiness is not just political or narrative––its workforce-based.  

Development may ebb and flow, but workforce training cannot. If the industry allows its skilled labor pipeline to contract now, it will lose years of momentum when construction accelerates again. The U.S. will need trained workers—on vessels, at ports, and in manufacturing facilities—ready to mobilize when the next procurement cycle begins. 

The session concluded where IPF began: with optimism grounded in reality. The industry has built the foundation. The data is strong. The benefits are visible.  

The next chapter isn’t about waiting—it’s about preparing. And when the market shifts, the industry that plays the long game now will be the one ready to lead. 

At the 2026 IPF Opening Plenary, leaders from New York, Congress, and the American offshore wind supply chain emphasized a common theme: durability. As the U.S. offshore wind industry shifts from early ambition to real-world deployment, speakers called for revised market structures, infrastructure, and partnerships designed to last through uncertainty and deliver long-term value.

The Plenary opened with remarks from Oceantic CEO and President, Liz Burdock, who emphasized that this year represents a defining moment for America’s offshore wind industry, and called on attendees to work together “reimagine, renew, and reignite.”

A Moment of Proof for New York

As the opening keynote, NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris delivered a clear message: offshore wind in New York is now real, operating, and delivering when it matters most. With the state’s first project generating year-round power—including during a recent storm—and two additional projects under construction that will serve roughly 10% of New York City’s demand, Harris emphasized that New York’s commitments are paying off in tangible ways. Thousands of union workers are employed across the supply chain, including at the new Long Island marine terminal.

New York’s newly completed energy plan lays out a 15-year vision focused on resource diversity, resilience, affordability, and reliability. With electricity demand expected to grow 25% in the coming years, Harris highlighted offshore wind as a cornerstone of the near-term energy mix, alongside water and solar.

But progress hasn’t been linear. “It has been a year we could not have anticipated,” she said, noting that the state has adjusted its approach without abandoning its fundamentals. A new RFI seeks ways to accelerate readiness to keep a steady pipeline of projects moving.

For Harris, durability is as much about economic competitiveness as energy reliability. Stable policies shape where capital flows and where workers build careers. New York aims to remain a consistent partner—a “port in the storm”—committed to building an energy system that performs under real-world conditions, not idealized scenarios.

Why “Copy and Paste” Doesn’t Work

The Opening Plenary panel tackled a question facing every U.S. market leader: why can’t we simply replicate Europe’s offshore wind playbook?

The answer: different context and different constraints.

NYSERDA’s Georges Sassine (Senior Vice President, Large-Scale Resources) noted that early tools like Offshore Renewable Energy Certificates (ORECs) were essential to stabilize first-mover projects, but U.S. markets operate under overlapping federal and state authorities, making direct model transfers difficult. Now, with operating projects and more on the way, New York and other states are reassessing what must evolve for the next phase.

Transmission also emerged as a core challenge. Will Hazelip, President of National Grid Ventures stressed that successful projects treat offshore wind as energy infrastructure, not just electricity generation. Fragmented permitting and jurisdictional overlaps continue to complicate grid integration, even as states like New York make progress on onshore upgrades.

Panelists agreed the U.S. needs stronger regional coordination, particularly as global supply chains tighten and Europe doubles down on investment. The early “race” among states to secure supply chain assets is giving way to recognition that shared infrastructure and multipurpose ports will ultimately deliver more durable outcomes.

Risk allocation must evolve as well. States are increasingly unwilling to absorb open-ended premiums. George emphasized a necessary shift from risk-sharing to de-risking—creating conditions where projects succeed without requiring outsized public exposure. As Billy Haugland, CEO and President of Haugland Group, put it, the U.S. needs a clear and aligned “game plan” to reduce uncertainty across the value chain.

Steadfast Commitment and Lessons Learned

Commissioner Amanda Lefton of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closed the Plenary with reflections on how to build longevity into the U.S. offshore wind system.

Lefton highlighted four lessons:

  1. Defensible permitting that stands up over decades.
  2. Flexibility to accommodate new technologies.
  3. Market preparation, exemplified by NYSERDA’s work to shape durable conditions for investment.
  4. Steadfast commitment, even amid uncertainty.

“Offshore wind is an inevitability,” she said. “It’s not if—it’s when.”

The Path Forward

Across the Opening Plenary, speakers reinforced that durability of policy, infrastructure, supply chain, and partnerships is the guiding principle for offshore wind’s next chapter. With operating projects, a maturing workforce, and clearer alignment across states, the industry is better positioned than ever to build an offshore wind system that works under real-world constraints and serves communities for decades to come.

Get more 2026 IPF insights here. 

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