East Anglian offshore wind supply chain eyeing US market

Norfolk & Suffolk Unlimited is looking to export its supply chain expertise to the U.S. offshore wind market.

A preliminary online event organized with the City of Virginia Beach saw 20 local businesses meet with operators and developers involved in the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

At the sessions, OrbisEnergy, East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and Opergy gave presentations, while Avangrid Renewables presented its plans for the 2.5 GW Kitty Hawk wind farm offshore North Carolina.

“Our original plan was to showcase Norfolk and Suffolk’s offshore wind supply chain during a visit to the UK by our Virginia Beach colleagues,” said Ian Pease, Business Development Manager – All Energy at OrbisEnergy.

“But rather than postpone, we decided to take the event online and were able to introduce 20 businesses from the region to some of the key players from the emerging US offshore wind market.”

According to Pease, the format exceeded all expectations and the next steps are to facilitate a series of online meet the buyer sessions to support Norfolk and Suffolk businesses in exporting their expertise to a global offshore wind market.

The 2.6 GW CVOW project will comprise Siemens Gamesa turbines, with construction expected to begin in 2024.

Dominion Energy and Ørsted are also developing the 12 MW CVOW pilot project, which will provide the operational, weather, and environmental experience needed for the large-scale development.