According to the University of North Carolina’s Offshore Wind Feasibility Study (2009), North Carolina has the largest offshore wind resource on the East Coast.

The study estimates a potential of 297 GW, which is roughly 25% of the total offshore wind resource among the East Coast states.

Combined with its high-quality commercial ports and manufacturing heritage, North Carolina’s offshore wind energy resource positions the state to develop a substantial niche within the wind energy supply chain.

Taking advantage of these factors will in turn benefit North Carolina’s economic future:  the U.S. Department of Energy’s “20% Wind by 2030” report estimates that developing 5 – 10 gigawatts of offshore wind in North Carolina could translate into 10,000-20,000 new manufacturing jobs for the state.

In July 2010, Apex submitted an unsolicited lease application to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Regulatory Enforcement (BOEMRE) for 24 lease blocks located in Onslow Bay, approximately 20 miles from the state shore at its closest point.

Since filing the unsolicited lease application, BOEMRE and the State of North Carolina have been working through a task force, comprised of several dozen local, state and federal officials, along with local tribal leaders, to identify targeted areas for offshore wind energy development.

The preferred areas identified by the task force will be made available through a formal lease process to be initiated by BOEMRE.  This will be the first step in a multi-year process in which extensive environmental, cultural and geotechnical studies will be completed before any permits may be issued to construct the project.

Potential Impact

Apex’s approach to development of offshore wind energy looks beyond any single project to a vision of a future industry nationwide.

We start by identifying an area large enough to support multiple phases of development over several years. The scale of the project is important to achieve economies of scale during the development and construction phases, and attract supply chain companies.

Applying this approach to offshore wind development opportunities in North Carolina maximizes potential benefits to the state economy and provides a foundation for considerable job creation. We see the first North Carolina project as a catalyst that can ultimately launch a significant manufacturing industry encompassing offshore wind turbine components, and complimentary R&D.

Apex looks forward to working with North Carolina to help the state attract its fair share of component suppliers, maximize the use of its port infrastructure, and tap into this very promising clean energy resource.

Interested in Learning More About Offshore Wind Energy for North Carolina?

We welcome your input and ideas and would look forward to sharing information with you. Please contact us with your ideas.

Other Offshore Projects:

Hampton Roads Offshore Wind – Virginia
Maryland Offshore Wind – Maryland
Lake Erie Wind Project – New York