The U.S. announced plans to ramp up offshore wind capacity in a big way

March 31, 2021:-The U.S. wants to expand its offshore wind capacity to 30 gigawatts by 2030. A move the Biden administration will generate thousands of jobs and unlock billions of dollars in investment in future years.

On Monday, the target, announced by the Departments of Energy, Interior, and Commerce, represents a vital ramp-up of America’s fledgling offshore wind industry, which trails different parts of the world.

The U.S.’ first offshore wind facility, the 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm, started commercial operations at the end of 2016. By contrast, the world’s first offshore wind farm was opened in 1991.

The White House said meeting its new goal for offshore wind would trigger more than $12 billion in a year in capital investment. It said it would lead to above 44,000 jobs in the offshore wind sector by 2030 and support 33,000 different roles connected to the industry.

According to the Department of Energy, deploying 30 GW of offshore wind by late ten years would produce enough electricity to power above 10 million homes in the U.S.

Gregory Wetstone, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy, said his organization was “thrilled to see the White House stepping up with concrete measures to help unleash America’s nascent offshore wind industry.”

According to Danish energy firm Orsted, which is working on the 1.1 GW project with support from New Jersey’s Public Service Enterprise Group, the facility will power over 500,000 homes if it goes ahead.

According to the White House, the bureau’s decision puts Ocean Wind “in line to become America’s third commercial-scale offshore wind project.” Environmental reviews for as many as ten other projects could be initiated this year, the White House said.