Offshore Wind 101: Why Do We Need Offshore Wind?

With rising energy demands nationwide, a reliable — and affordable — solution is more crucial than ever. Offshore wind is a limitless resource with the potential to power cities across the country, to efficiently meet the increasing demand. Because offshore wind projects are typically located near densely populated coastal areas, they deliver power close to where it’s needed most. This also means fewer land-based upgrades to the electric grid are required compared to similarly-sized new power plants farther inland — saving time, space, and costs while bringing clean energy directly to our communities.

Here’s why offshore wind is a game-changer:

Keeping Up With Energy Demands

The demand for electricity is at an all-time high. By harnessing the power of offshore wind, we can reinforce the power grid with a modernized, renewable energy source. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. offshore wind potential exceeds 4,200 gigawatts—which is three times the nation’s annual electricity consumption.

Lowering Energy Costs

In regions like New England, energy customers are consistently met with high costs–especially during the winter months where severe weather causes 23% of power outages. A UCS analysis revealed that adding offshore wind to the grid boosts the winter energy supply, ensuring reliable electricity throughout the season, all while reducing energy costs for ratepayers.

Building a Thriving Workforce

The offshore wind industry is a true driver for job creation. From construction, to manufacturing, to maintenance, offshore wind offers a wide range of high-paying employment opportunities. Even industries like commercial fishing benefit, as fishermen can contribute their expertise in marine life and vessel operations to offshore wind projects. To date, Vineyard Wind 1 has established over 2,000 skilled jobs and supported over 1,000 union jobs.

Strengthening the Supply Chain

Currently, the Vineyard Wind 1 supply chain spans over 40 U.S. states, helping power the U.S. offshore wind industry with American made energy.

ACP’s Offshore Wind Market Report highlights the industry’s $3 billion commitment to supply chain investments back in 2023, which brought the total infrastructure investments in offshore wind to over $9 billion. Continuing to advance this sector will support innovation, create good American jobs, and fuel our economic engine.

Offshore wind is a critical piece of the energy ecosystem of the future. From increasing grid reliability to driving economic growth and saving money for consumers, the benefits are undeniable.

Learn more about how Vineyard Offshore is advancing this work here.