The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) is launching a feasibility study to evaluate business opportunities in the offshore wind supply chain.
The study aims to assist NWSA in positioning the gateway to support the burgeoning offshore wind industry. It will take a broad look at NWSA facilities, the various offshore wind components, and identify which port facilities are suited for various aspects of the supply chain. The study will highlight opportunities for investment in NWSA facilities to meet market demand.
NWSA will work with Moffatt & Nichol on the study. Shane Phillips, senior civil and coastal engineer at Moffatt & Nichol, said: “Offshore wind components are large, heavy elements that require purpose-built port infrastructure, heavy lift equipment, and access to deep, navigable water. The NWSA is well positioned to play a critical role in the development of the offshore wind supply chain as there is a shortage of suitable port infrastructure on the West Coast to meet renewable energy and offshore wind deployment goals at the federal and state levels.”
The Biden administration has set a goal of 30 GW of power produced by offshore wind by 2030, and an ultimate goal of 110 GW by 2050. Port infrastructure and capacity has been identified as one of the main bottlenecks in the offshore wind supply chain and, to meet the needs of current federal offshore wind goals, industry reports indicate that roughly USD36 billion dollars will be needed in domestic port infrastructure development.
