MEA, DBED Commission Three Offshore Wind Supply Chain Analyses (USA)

Kinetik Partners released three offshore wind supply chain analyses commissioned by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) in response to questions raised during the General Assembly’s legislative summer study.

These reports assessed the sufficiency, competitiveness and opportunities for development of several of Maryland sectors critical for the development of large scale offshore wind energy in the mid-Atlantic and provided a road map for the development of an offshore wind innovation cluster that could create thousands of Maryland jobs.

“An offshore wind farm off Maryland’s coast will bring numerous benefits to the State, including homegrown clean energy, sustainable jobs, reduced public health costs, lowered greenhouse gas emissions and significant progress towards meeting the State’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) with local generation,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These reports confirm the tremendous job creation and economic development potential in the State resulting from the clustering of manufacturing and deployment infrastructure around an early offshore wind project.”

Two individual analyses commissioned by MEA focused on Maryland’s port infrastructure and steel production and fabrication facilities. The ports analysis which is entitled, Analysis of Maryland Port Facilities for Offshore Wind Energy Services, reviewed critical port infrastructure such as berth configuration, air draft, crane capacity, rail and road access and warehouse availability to assess the sufficiency and competitiveness of Maryland ports. Kinetik determined that Dundalk Marine terminal offers an excellent early deployment potential while Sparrow’s Point provides a longer deployment opportunity. Sparrow’s Point, with its portside steel facility and nearby fabrication capabilities offers unique advantages for Maryland among East Coast states, and could serve as an anchor for future industrial cluster development. The advantages are detailed in the second analysis, Analysis of Maryland Steel Facilities for Sufficiency to Support Offshore Wind Energy Deployment.

A third report builds on the first two analyses to review broader Maryland offshore wind supply chain capabilities. While this report, Analysis of Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Capabilities, is currently being finalized, the executive summary is now available. The report assesses the offshore wind energy market potential and the opportunities for Maryland supply chain partners. Looking at project development and permitting, composites, electronics, turbine manufacturing, towers, foundations, cables and other “balance of plant”, as well as vessel sourcing, logistics and installation, and operations and maintenance, the report creates a road map to successful engagement with industry and achievement of the full economic development potential of this new industry. Kinetik Partners examined various scenarios representing different levels of policy coordination as well as comprehensive engagement with steel, ports, industrial sectors and higher education and technical schools, and found that while we must work aggressively to establish an early mover advantage, the potential benefits of offshore wind could be transformational for Maryland.

[mappress] Offshore WIND staff, March 01, 2012