North Carolina issues call for offshore wind supply chain study

The North Carolina Department of Commerce has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit an offshore wind supply chain and infrastructure assessment.

The analysis will identify North Carolina’s existing strengths and capabilities relating to the offshore wind sector, and help develop a strategic roadmap to support the state’s efforts in attracting the industry’s manufacturing supply chain.

North Carolina is said to be well-positioned to transition to offshore wind given its existing strong land-based wind manufacturing and component supply chain, including Saertex in Huntersville, NEG in Shelby, and Nucor Steel in Cofield. 

“This assessment will be a critical stepping stone to North Carolina attracting some of the $70b offshore wind investment coming to the U.S in the next ten years,” said Katharine Kollins, President of the Southeastern Wind Coalition.

“Not only will this provide key insights to the state’s unique industry qualifications and opportunity areas, but it sends an important signal to the offshore wind industry that North Carolina is open for business.”

To remind, last year North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper announced a $300,000 study to evaluate state-owned and privately held ports with the potential to host offshore wind operations, maintenance, or wind component and assembly manufacturing facilities.

Interested parties are free to submit their proposals by 15 June.