US sets 15 GW floating offshore wind goal by 2035

The US administration on Thursday announced a target to deploy 15 GW of floating offshore wind capacity by 2035 as it is looking to become a frontrunner in the emerging industry.

The new ambition complements the US’ existing goal to deliver 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030 which is expected to be met mainly through the construction of fixed-bottom turbines.

The White House said that two-thirds of America’s offshore wind energy potential is in deep-water areas, including along the West Coast and in the Gulf of Maine. According to a newly released assessment update by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the US has 1.5 TW in technical resource potential from fixed-bottom wind and 2.8 TW from floating offshore wind.

In line with the new goal, the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will advance deep-water lease areas, starting with a lease auction offshore California by the end of this year.

The administration is also creating a Floating Offshore Wind Shot aimed at cutting the costs of floating technologies by more than 70% to USD 45 (EUR 45) per MWh by 2035. The initiative is led by the Departments of Energy, Interior, Commerce and Transportation.

To underpin the floating wind goal, the Department of Energy has announced nearly USD 50 million for research, development, and demonstration funding, including a USD 6.85 million prize competition, unveiled this week, for floating offshore wind platform technologies.

The statement also noted that clean energy tax credits in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate the offshore wind industry with support including for Made in America wind turbine blades, fixed-bottom and floating platforms, or installation vessels.

The American Clean Power Association applauded the announcement as a game changer. “These bold actions will create the project pipeline necessary to spark investment in a new domestic supply chain and allow the US to lead in this emerging technology,” said its chief executive Heather Zichal.

(USD 1 = EUR 1.001)

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