Offshore wind energy is one of the world’s fastest growing renewable energy resources. While offshore wind has been well established in Europe for the past two decades, and new facilities have recently been commissioned in Asia, the United States is just beginning the process to harness this clean, domestic resource. The U.S. Department of Energy has committed to a goal of developing 54 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, with an interim goal of 10 gigawatts by 2020. This initiative will require development of several large-scale projects starting in 2016 off the coasts of multiple states. Apex Offshore Wind is uniquely positioned to help reach this target thanks to its fully integrated development team and a suite of offshore projects.
Communities and the Environment
Our coastal states are the most heavily populated areas in the country. The waters off the U.S. coasts currently support a variety of uses from commercial fishing and shipping to tourism and military use. In addition, the Eastern Seaboard is arich habitat for a variety of fish, bird, and mammal species. At Apex, we take these uses and wildlife habitats into consideration as we seek to find suitable locations for offshore wind facilities. Our priority is to develop sites with minimal impact on current uses, including locating projects far enough from shore where they are hardly visible, or where possible, beyond the horizon and out of view.
An Economic Development Engine
Apex’s approach is to develop offshore projects large enough to achieve economies of scale while creating a market that attracts domestic and international component supplies. This approach envisions gigawatt-scale projects built in phases over several years, supporting a new offshore wind energy supply chain with the participation of multiple states, and the creation of tens of thousands of jobs.
The potential of offshore wind to support significant new economic development has garnered the attention of regional industry and state government alike. Economic development opportunities include:
- Port utilization for construction staging
- Design and construction of installation and O&M vessels
- Fabrication of foundations
- Manufacture of the thousands of components that comprise a modern wind turbine
- Research and development opportunities
- Workforce Education and training
Offshore Projects
Apex is pursuing several offshore wind energy projects in states along the Eastern Seaboard and in the Great Lakes. Please click the links below for further information about our projects:
Hampton Roads Offshore Wind – Virginia
Outer Banks Ocean Energy – North Carolina
Maryland Offshore Wind – Maryland
Lake Erie Wind Project – New York