Search Results

Learn more about AOWA’s mission to train and empower professionals in the offshore wind industry through expert-led programs American Offshore Wind Academy The American Offshore Wind Academy (AOWA) is a pioneering initiative driven by offshore wind industry leaders who are committed to advancing and strengthening the sector. The Academy’s mission is to empower and advance the offshore wind industry in the United States and worldwide through comprehensive education, training, and collaboration. With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and industry growth, the Academy strives to empower individuals, organizations, governments, and the broader offshore wind community to make a significant and lasting impact on the clean energy landscape of the world.

< Back Meet Charybdis: America's First Domestic Wind Turbine Installation Vessel February 7, 2025 The Charybdis, the United States' first domestically built wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), represents a landmark $715 million investment in the future of American energy independence. This cutting-edge vessel, built at Seatrium AmFELS, Inc. shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, is poised to strengthen the U.S. offshore wind industry and pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. While the cost of this pioneering vessel has increased from initial estimates (around $500 million), this reflects the complexities of developing a brand-new industry and incorporating the latest technological advancements. The Charybdis' final design incorporates crucial modifications to handle the newest generation of wind turbines, ensuring its long-term viability and maximizing its contribution to U.S. energy goals. This investment in advanced technology will ultimately pay dividends in increased efficiency and performance. The 472-foot Charybdis is a critical component of Dominion Energy 's ambitious Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. As a Jones Act-compliant vessel, it plays a vital role in strengthening domestic shipbuilding and maritime industries. This compliance ensures that American jobs and expertise are at the forefront of this burgeoning sector. Although the Charybdis project has faced some delays, these are typical of complex, first-of-their-kind endeavors. The project is now nearing completion, with delivery expected sometime in 2025. This timeline reflects a commitment to quality and precision, ensuring the vessel's reliability and safety for years to come. The Charybdis offers significant advantages to the U.S. offshore wind industry. Its Jones Act compliance streamlines installation processes, eliminating the need for feeder vessels and mitigating weather-related delays. This translates to greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the long run. Moreover, a U.S.-flagged WTIV reduces reliance on foreign vessels, securing America's energy future and fostering domestic expertise. The CVOW project, now well underway (recently reaching 50% completion), is a testament to the potential of offshore wind to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. The Charybdis project alone generated over 1,200 jobs at its peak, and the CVOW project is creating thousands more in Virginia. This investment in clean energy is an investment in American communities and the American workforce. Dominion's commitment to the CVOW project, even with the increased costs and political headwinds, demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to energy development. The company recognizes the long-term benefits of offshore wind and is willing to invest in the infrastructure necessary to make it a reality. The anticipated modest increase in customer bills (around 43 cents per month) underscores the company's commitment to balancing affordability with sustainability. “Charybdis is vital not only to CVOW but also to the growth of the offshore wind industry along the U.S. East Coast and is key to the continued development of a domestic supply chain by providing a homegrown solution for the installation of offshore wind turbines,” said Bob Blue, Dominion Energy's chair, president and chief executive officer. The Charybdis is more than just a ship; it's a symbol of American ingenuity and a commitment to a cleaner energy future. Its launch and upcoming sea trials mark a pivotal moment in the development of a robust domestic offshore wind industry. This vessel, and the projects it will support, represent a significant stride towards U.S. energy independence and a more sustainable future. Sources Marine Link, Work Boat, & Marine Insight Previous Next

< Back Offshore Wind: The Only Practical Solution to Meeting New York’s Growing Electricity Demands June 5, 2025 A new report from Aurora Energy Research , commissioned by the Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACENY), concluded that offshore wind is the only viable near-term solution to address downstate New York's escalating energy reliability concerns. This finding is particularly urgent as the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) projects potential electricity shortfalls in New York City as early as this year. The urgency is underscored by a variety of factors straining the energy system in New York City and Long Island. These downstate regions face rising reliability challenges driven by significant transmission constraints, which make importing sufficient generation difficult and costly to expand. Compounding this, New York’s peak demand is forecasted to grow quickly, largely due to increased electrification, with winter demand seeing particularly sharp increases. Furthermore, tightening capacity margins are a critical concern; NYISO has estimated that New York City could experience a deficit of up to 461 MW for several hours in 2025 if the planned retirements of older, fossil fuel-fired generators proceed, highlighting an immediate need for new, local power sources. Finding enough land for new power sources in downstate New York is a major hurdle. This scarcity not only limits how much new energy infrastructure can be built but also significantly drives up construction costs. In fact, Aurora estimates it's about 1.4 times more expensive to build new energy projects in downstate regions compared to upstate. Offshore wind neatly avoids this problem because its power generation facilities are located out at sea, with minimal land use on the coast. This is a huge advantage for densely populated areas like New York City (Zone J) and Long Island (Zone K). Aurora's long-term modeling shows that New York will need approximately 15 GW of offshore wind by 2040. If the state tried to get the same amount of power from solar, it would need around 520 square miles of land. For land-based wind power, it would be about 680 square miles. Even if New York City tried to generate the needed electricity with traditional sources, it would still require developing 15 square miles of land (roughly 1,750 Manhattan city blocks). The report also notes that alternatives to offshore wind face significant challenges other than land use. For instance, developing new natural gas power plants (thermal generation) is severely hampered by shortages in essential components like gas turbines, leading to long project lead times that can extend up to eight years. This bottleneck is intensified by surging global demand for these turbines; GE Vernova , one of the world's largest manufacturers, reported a 90% increase in orders between 2023 and 2024, directly contributing to these extended timelines. Meanwhile, other potential zero-emission technologies, such as small modular nuclear reactors or hydrogen-fuel peaking plants, have not yet reached the commercial scale required to make a significant impact in the near term. Offshore wind is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand. According to Aurora, it is the only net-new generation capacity currently in the queue for New York that can realistically add supply within this decade. To interconnect into the NYISO grid, projects are required to enter the interconnection queue (ICQ). Clearing the queue takes several years, giving an indication of all capacity likely to come online in the next ~4 years. While 1.8 GW of battery storage (BESS) and 1.3 GW of transmission could be online by 2027, offshore wind is the only net new generation capacity in the queue for downstate NY. "Offshore wind is poised to provide much needed relief to the tightening NYISO system," said Julia Hoos, Head of USA East at Aurora Energy Research. "Without offshore wind, we find that New York becomes increasingly dependent on importing power from its neighbors in New England and the Mid-Atlantic — and those regions face tight conditions at exactly the same time. Offshore wind can help alleviate this pressure and shelter New Yorkers from high energy prices associated with cold winters and fluctuating gas prices.” Key benefits of offshore wind highlighted in the report include: Enhanced Energy Independence: Developing in-state offshore wind reduces reliance on imports, particularly during peak winter periods when neighboring regions also face high demand. Consumer Cost Savings: Aurora estimates that if the Empire Wind 1, Sunrise Wind, and South Fork Wind projects had been operational during a single cold, high-cost month in 2022, New Yorkers could have saved $77 million in electricity costs. These savings are projected to be even higher in future winters. Land-Use Efficiency: To meet New York’s energy goals, approximately 15 GW of offshore wind would be needed by 2040. Generating the equivalent with solar or land-based wind would require over 600 square miles of land, a significant challenge in space-constrained downstate New York. Meeting Climate Goals: Offshore wind deployment is crucial for decarbonization, potentially leading to a decrease in the social cost of carbon by up to $1 billion in annual savings by 2040. Overall, the evidence strongly indicates that offshore wind is uniquely positioned to address New York's burgeoning energy demands in the most economically sound way. It stands out as the optimal path forward to maintain affordable energy prices, especially during challenging winter months, while simultaneously bolstering grid reliability and advancing the state's energy independence. With mounting pressure on the existing energy infrastructure and a scarcity of viable alternatives, the findings of the Aurora report underscore that investing in offshore wind is not just a timely and practical decision, but an essential one for securing New York’s energy future. Check out the full report by Aurora Energy Research here: Meeting New York’s Energy Needs: Reliability & Offshore Wind Previous Next

< Back The Reef Effect: How Offshore Wind Benefits Marine Life July 24, 2025 Recent marine biology studies reveal a complex interplay between wind farm infrastructure and ocean inhabitants. While construction noise can temporarily displace marine mammals and affect fish behavior, the resulting artificial reefs often create thriving marine sanctuaries. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as we balance our urgent need for clean energy with our responsibility to protect ocean ecosystems. When hard structures are introduced into the ocean, they often transform into artificial reefs . These are man-made structures deliberately placed in the sea to mimic the characteristics of natural reefs. Oceanographers and other researchers have long observed how submerged shipwrecks and bridges can become home to diverse and colorful arrays of marine species. Similarly, the underwater portions of many offshore wind turbines in Europe, China, and other parts of the globe have demonstrated this same phenomenon. Offshore wind turbine foundations, along with their scour protection (such as rocks placed around the base), act as artificial reefs, attracting marine life and potentially enhancing local biodiversity. This "reef effect" occurs because these hard structures provide new surfaces for marine organisms to attach to, creating essential habitats for algae, shellfish, and various fish species. Scour Protection: More Than Just Foundation Support Scour, analogous to erosion, is the process by which waves and currents remove sediment from around the base of a structure. For offshore wind turbines and their connecting subsea cables, this phenomenon poses a significant threat to their stability and integrity. To counteract this, engineers frequently deploy scour protection measures, which are critical for the long-term viability of these projects. These protective measures often consist of materials like rocks, concrete mattresses, or grout bags strategically placed around the turbine foundations and along unburied cable routes. Their primary function is to create a stable barrier that prevents currents from washing away the seabed sediment, which could otherwise undermine the turbine's base. Additionally, scour protection safeguards the vital inter-array and export cables from exposure and potential damage. Beyond their engineering purpose, these scour protection elements inadvertently contribute to the artificial reef effect of offshore wind farms. The varied surfaces and interstitial spaces created by the rocks, mattresses, and bags offer diverse habitats, shelter, and foraging grounds for a range of marine species. This secondary benefit is an important consideration in the ecological assessment of offshore wind projects, highlighting how essential infrastructure can also play a role in marine biodiversity enhancement. How Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations and Scour Protection Create Thriving Marine Habitats Offshore wind farm structures are more than just sources of renewable energy; they create unique artificial reef environments that often become thriving marine ecosystems. This phenomenon, known as the "reef effect" by marine biologists, arises as the turbine's steel foundations and scour protection systems rapidly become colonized by various marine organisms. These submerged structures quickly form the base of complex food webs. Organisms like mussels, barnacles, and diverse species of algae readily attach to the steel foundations, acting as "fouling organisms" and marking the start of a new artificial reef. The vertical pillars of the foundation provide ideal attachment points for these filter-feeding organisms, while the rocky scour protection at the base offers crucial shelter for bottom-dwelling species such as cod, lobsters, and crabs. The introduction of these novel surfaces leads to the rapid colonization of various organisms, including mussels, macroalgae, barnacles, filter-feeding arthropods, and anemones , which often exhibit distinct vertical zonation. This can result in a significant increase in biomass, potentially up to 4,000-fold compared to original sediments, attracting larger species like crabs and lobsters. Studies have identified three successional stages for these biofouling communities: Pioneer stage (0-2 years): Initial colonization by opportunistic species. Intermediate stage (3-5 years): Increased diversity of suspension feeders. Climax stage (6+ years): Domination by species like plumose anemones and blue mussels, indicating a mature and stable community. Different foundation types contribute to diverse habitats : Monopile foundations , the most common type, offer expansive vertical surfaces for mussels, barnacles, and other filter-feeding organisms to attach. These colonizing species form the foundation of a complex food web, attracting fish and crustaceans that seek both food and shelter. Jacket foundations , with their intricate lattice-like structure, create numerous hiding spots and breeding grounds for species like cod and pouting. Gravity-based foundations provide extensive horizontal surfaces near the seabed, becoming prime real estate for soft corals, anemones, and sponges. Beyond the foundations, scour protection measures also create vital microhabitats. These rocky areas provide refuge for lobsters and crabs and suitable surfaces for kelp attachment, further contributing to the development of rich marine communities. Research consistently shows that these artificial reefs can support biomass levels up to 200 times greater than surrounding sandy areas, highlighting their significant potential for enhancing marine biodiversity. The Oceanography Society Offshore Wind Farms as De Facto Marine Sanctuaries An additional benefit of some wind farms is their role as de facto marine sanctuaries. Fishing activities are often restricted within their boundaries, creating safe havens where fish populations can recover and flourish. This reduced fishing pressure around the wind farm structures frequently results in a "spill-over effect" into adjacent fishing zones, increasing available fish stocks for commercial fisheries. This artificial reef environment attracts both resident and migratory species. Schools of fish commonly gather around turbine foundations, utilizing them as feeding grounds and nursery areas. Marine mammals, particularly seals, have also been observed foraging in these areas, indicating that the structures create productive hunting grounds. Ecological Benefits and Research Findings The colonization process typically follows a predictable succession pattern, with early colonizers like barnacles and tube worms preparing the surface for later arrivals. Over time, these communities become increasingly complex and stable, contributing significantly to local marine biodiversity and potentially enhancing fish populations in the surrounding waters. Scientists have specifically observed that juvenile fish greatly benefit from these structures, as they provide protection from larger predators and create crucial nursery areas. Monitoring data from established wind farms in the North Sea consistently indicates a significant increase in fish abundance, with some sites reporting up to 50% higher population densities compared to surrounding areas. Species like cod, pouting, and various flatfish show a particular affinity for these structures, using them for shelter and feeding grounds. Furthermore, the abundant suspension feeders on offshore wind farm structures act as "biofilters," actively removing particles from the water column. This can lead to localized reductions in turbidity and increased light penetration, benefiting other marine life. These organisms also efficiently transfer pelagic food sources to the benthic community, potentially increasing overall secondary production. Studies have shown that sediments around turbines become enriched with organic matter from filter feeder fecal pellets, leading to increased macrofaunal densities and species richness. Higher trophic levels, including various fish species, seabirds, and marine mammals, are also attracted to offshore wind farms for both shelter and food. Fish species such as Atlantic cod and black sea bass are frequently found associated with these structures, either aggregating due to the attraction of the enhanced habitat or experiencing increased production due to improved conditions. While some species prey on the biofouling community, others are attracted for non-trophic reasons like seeking shelter or social aggregation. Nature Inclusive Design: The Artificial Reef Effect Traditional scour protection, while effective for safeguarding underwater infrastructure, often overlooks its potential as a marine habitat. However, adopting a nature-inclusive design for scour protection can transform these necessary structures into thriving ecosystems, leveraging the artificial reef effect . This approach not only protects offshore wind turbine foundations but also significantly enhances the biodiversity of the surrounding marine environment, particularly in areas predominantly characterized by soft-bottom habitats. To maximize the ecological benefits, the design of scour protection can be optimized to mimic the complexity of naturally occurring marine habitats . Incorporating a variety of structures—both large and small, with diverse hole sizes and an array of rock shapes and sizes—increases both the surface area and habitat complexity of the scour protection layers. This multifaceted approach provides essential shelter for larger, mobile species while also creating suitable refuges for smaller organisms, juvenile life stages, and attached species, thereby fostering greater biodiversity. Further enhancing biodiversity can be achieved by modifying the overall shape of the scour protection. Irregular designs, featuring extensions in multiple directions, generate additional surface area for marine growth. Furthermore, diversifying rock sizes and shapes, incorporating more calcareous rocks, and enhancing surface roughness can significantly contribute to a richer ecosystem. The strategic introduction of specific species, such as ecosystem engineering species, can further accelerate the development of a robust and diverse community within the scour protection. A Study from Block Island A groundbreaking, seven-year study, "Demersal fish and invertebrate catches relative to construction and operation of North America’s first offshore wind farm," offers compelling insights into the ecological impact of the Block Island Wind Farm. This pioneering research, the first of its kind in the United States, meticulously tracked nearly 664,000 individual fish across 61 species around the wind turbines. Contrary to concerns about potential negative effects, researchers found no adverse impacts on bottom-dwelling fish populations during either the construction or operational phases of the wind farm. Instead, they observed a remarkable phenomenon: fish populations were thriving around these new artificial reefs . The turbine foundations provided an unexpected boon, serving as a substrate for mussels, which became a readily available food source. Furthermore, the structures functioned as vital nursery habitats, offering shelter and protection for young fish. The most significant and conclusive finding was a substantial increase in the congregation of black sea bass around the Block Island wind farm . This positive correlation is likely due to the species' preference for physical structures, which the turbine foundations readily provide. While an increase in Atlantic cod was also noted, the frequency of these observations was not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. The Block Island study strongly suggests that offshore wind turbines can, in fact, create flourishing marine ecosystems, acting as beneficial artificial reefs. RWE and ARC Marine Pilot RWE and ARC marine® have launched the world's first full-scale pilot project, Reef Enhancement for Scour Protection (RESP) , at the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm in England. This initiative involves deploying over 75,000 eco-engineered Reef Cubes, made from low-carbon, recycled materials, as a sustainable alternative to traditional rock scour protection. The project aims to simultaneously protect turbine foundations and enhance marine biodiversity through Nature Inclusive Design, fostering vibrant marine ecosystems while meeting critical engineering needs. ARC marine and RWE view this as a flagship project to demonstrate and evaluate the potential for Nature Inclusive Design (NID) solutions to effectively meet both engineering and biodiversity requirements. The reef cubes® — designed and manufactured by ARC marine are engineered with rough surfaces and built-in shelter spaces that promote the settlement and protection of local marine species, such as European seabass, common starfish and brown crab. The data and insights gathered from the RESP pilot will help to assess the potential benefits of using Nature Inclusive Design to increase biodiversity within future offshore developments while addressing a critical engineering issue. Deriving multiple benefits in this way delivers increased value and could lead to setting new practices for biodiversity integration across the renewables industry. Conceptual Model, RWE Marine Cube, ARC Marine & RWE Examples of Nature-Based Design Products: Reef Balls : Reef Balls® can be added on top of, placed next to, or integrated into a scour protection layer. They can be customized to meet specific project needs and designed to attract use by specific focal species. They are designed to withstand movement and damage in storms and can be installed using a variety of methods. They are made from marine grade pH-neutralized concrete resulting in a pH similar to seawater. They can be customized to more closely resemble natural habitats and are constructed with a rough textured surface to promote colonization of marine epifauna. Reef Balls, Reef Innovations Layer Cakes : Layer Cakes® are designed to provide increased horizontal surface area for colonization of benthic epifauna (when compared to Reef Balls®). They come in a variety of sizes and can be added on top of, placed next to, or integrated into a scour protection layer and are installed using a crane. Layer Cakes can be customized to meet specific project needs and designed to attract use by specific focal species by customizing the number, shape, and size of layers. Layer Cakes, Ørsted Reef Cubes : The ARC Marine Reef Cubes are an advanced, versatile artificial reef solution made from 98% recycled, plastic-free materials, offering 91% carbon savings. Developed through extensive research, their patented design with textured finishes and adjustable passageways promotes the growth of local marine life. These cubes come in various sizes and can be used for coastal defense, fisheries, and offshore projects, including scour protection, artificial reefs, and fill-ins, with modularity allowing for diverse and stable reef system constructions. Reef Cube, RWE Reef Matts: The ARC Marine Reef mat is an environmentally friendly, low-carbon concrete alternative to traditional subsea mattresses. It promotes biodiversity through its Nature Inclusive Design with 3D textures, is made from 98% recycled materials, offers significant carbon savings, and provides cost benefits by avoiding decommissioning. Reef Matt by ARC Marine Ørsted Deploys 3-D Printed Reef Structures at the Anholt Offshore Wind Farm Recognizing the urgent need to address the drastic decline in cod populations within the Kattegat, a sea area between Sweden and Denmark, an innovative project was launched in 2022 by Ørsted and WWF Verdensnaturfonden / WWF Denmark . This initiative saw the deployment of a dozen 3D-printed reef structures on the seabed between the wind turbines at the Anholt Offshore Wind Farm . Developed through a collaboration between WWF Netherlands and Reef Design Lab , and produced by the Italian company D-Shape , these biocompatible reefs are designed to create much-needed habitats for cod. Years of overfishing, oxygen depletion, and habitat loss have severely impacted the Kattegat's cod stock, which is now 90% lower than in 1990 . As a vital top predator, the scarcity of cod disrupts the delicate marine ecosystem, leading to an overgrowth of species like green crabs that negatively impact crucial eelgrass beds—important habitats and carbon sinks. The hope is that these uniquely shaped, wedding cake-like structures, approximately one cubic meter in size, will provide varied hiding spaces for fish and hard surfaces for other organisms, ultimately contributing to the recovery of the cod population and the overall health of the marine environment. Ørsted Offshore Wind & Aquaculture The co-location of offshore wind farms (OWF) and aquaculture, often referred to as a Multi-use Setting (MUS) , has emerged as a strategy to optimize the use of marine space and potentially benefit marine wildlife and fish populations. Beyond the artificial reef effect, integrating aquaculture, especially with shellfish or seaweed farming, within OWFs can be a nature-based solution that supports threatened species and contributes to wider ecosystem services. For example, co-locating wind farms with farming of blue mussels and sugar kelp can deliver emission free energy, nutritious seafood, and positive ecosystem services through emission (CO2 and nutrients) capture and utilization. The diagram below shows how the integration of low-trophic aquaculture (LTA) can benefit the surrounding ecosystem. Communications, Earth, & Environment Low Trophic Aquaculture , which involves farming shellfish and seaweed, provides a sustainable method for food production with a significantly smaller carbon footprint than land-based agriculture. These aquatic organisms naturally purify the water by absorbing surplus nutrients and carbon dioxide, leading to improved water quality and a reduction in ocean acidification. By offering a protein source with minimal environmental impact and enabling the recirculation of nutrients from marine to terrestrial environments, LTA can provide a multitude of benefits when co-located with offshore wind farms. Conclusion: A Symbiotic Future for Energy and Ocean Life The journey towards a sustainable energy future is intrinsically linked with our stewardship of the marine environment. As this article has explored, offshore wind farms, far from being mere industrial installations, are proving to be dynamic contributors to ocean ecosystems. The "reef effect," driven by the very foundations and essential scour protection of wind turbines, transforms these structures into vibrant artificial reefs, fostering biodiversity and providing crucial habitats for a myriad of marine species. Innovative approaches, such as the deployment of 3D-printed reefs and the adoption of nature-inclusive designs, further amplify these ecological benefits, actively contributing to the restoration of vulnerable populations. Moreover, the de facto marine sanctuaries created by restricted fishing zones within wind farms offer a vital reprieve for marine life, leading to spill-over effects that benefit surrounding areas. Looking ahead, the potential for co-locating offshore wind with sustainable aquaculture presents an exciting frontier, promising not only clean energy and food production but also enhanced ecosystem services. Ultimately, the evolving understanding of the "reef effect" underscores a powerful truth: with thoughtful design and a commitment to ecological integration, offshore wind development can indeed forge a symbiotic future, where our pursuit of renewable energy actively contributes to a healthier, more resilient ocean. Interested in learning more? Check out this video by The Nature Conservancy Sources https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/protect-water-and-land/land-and-water-stories/wind-turbines-restoring-habitat/ https://www.marinebiodiversity.ca/how-offshore-wind-farms-transform-marine-ecosystems-the-surprising-truth/ https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/6/30/2330713/-When-Wind-Turbines-Become-Underwater-Forests-America-s-Accidental-Marine-Revolution https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-01116-6#:~:text=Co%2Dlocating%20offshore%20wind%20farms,)%20and%20nutrients)%20(Fig. https://www.rwe.com/en/press/rwe-offshore-wind-gmbh/2025-07-08-rwe-and-arc-marine-celebrate-milestone-success/ https://arcmarine.co.uk/product/reef-cubes/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385110124000352 https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/TurbineReefReport_Nature-BasedDesignsOffshoreWindStructures_Final2022.pdf https://tos.org/oceanography/article/offshore-wind-farm-artificial-reefs-affect-ecosystem-structure-and-functioning-a-synthesis https://orsted.com/en/who-we-are/sustainability/biodiversity/net-positive-biodiversity-impact/3d-printed-reefs-biodiversity-restoration Previous Next

Reach out to the American Offshore Wind Academy for concerns related to its certificate programs and academy affairs. Complaints & Appeals AOWA ensures that all stakeholders have access to a formal complaints & appeals process for addressing concerns related to its certificate programs and academy affairs. The process includes: Complaints/appeals can be submitted via email (info@aowacademy.com ) or via the form on this page. Complaints/appeals are acknowledged within three business days and assigned to a designated reviewer. Reviewers investigate complaints/appeals impartially, ensuring no conflict of interest. Resolutions are communicated to the complainant/appeal within 15 business days. American Offshore Wind Academy 12 Berkshire Pl, Suite #1, Cambridge MA 02141 info@aowacademy.com Thanks for submitting! Submit

< Back Closing the Loop: DOE Report Charts Path to Sustainable Wind Turbine Recycling February 4, 2025 A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers a roadmap for a more sustainable wind energy industry through increased recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind turbine components. The report, " Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States ," reveals that while existing infrastructure can handle 90% of the mass of decommissioned turbines, innovative solutions are needed for the remaining 10%, primarily blades, generators, and nacelle covers. This research will inform over $20 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments aimed at bridging this gap. "The U.S. already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach," stated Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "Innovation is key to closing the loop, and this research will help guide national investments and strategies aimed at advancing technologies that can solve the remaining challenges." The report, compiled by a team of researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , and Sandia National Laboratories , outlines short, medium, and long-term research and development priorities. It emphasizes the need for improved decommissioning practices, strategic siting of recycling facilities, expanded infrastructure, and the development of more easily recyclable materials and component designs. Recovering critical materials like nickel, cobalt, and zinc from generators and power electronics is also highlighted as crucial for a circular economy. Current recycling efforts focus on easily recyclable components like towers, foundations, and steel subcomponents. However, the report identifies blades (made of composite materials), generators, and nacelle covers as more challenging. Short-term strategies include promoting thermoplastic resins in blade production and reusing these resins in cement. Medium and long-term solutions include pyrolysis and chemical dissolution for blades, high-yield separation techniques for power electronics, and hybrid methods for recycling permanent magnets. Regional factors, such as material demand and transportation costs, will play a significant role in the economic viability of recycling. The DOE is actively supporting this transition through several initiatives: $20 Million Investment : The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is funding a Wind Energy Recycling Research, Development, and Demonstration program focused on sustainable components, material recycling, and qualifying recycled materials. $3.6 Million Prize Competition : The Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize has awarded six winners to advance their recycling technologies toward commercialization. The DOE's research draws from its Renewable Energy Materials Properties Database (REMPD) and incorporates life cycle and techno-economic assessments of various recycling pathways. The goal is to develop efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible methods for managing decommissioned wind turbine materials. This includes evaluating current industry practices, assessing the research landscape, and identifying opportunities for emerging technologies. By promoting a circular economy in the wind energy sector, the DOE aims to reduce material supply chain vulnerabilities, conserve resources, and enhance the sustainability of wind power, contributing to a cleaner energy future. Companies like RWE and Siemens Gamesa are also taking steps towards circularity. RWE's Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK will deploy 132 recyclable turbine blades (44 of its 100 turbines), supplied by Siemens Gamesa. This follows a successful pilot of the technology at RWE's Kaskasi wind farm in Germany. These recyclable blades utilize a new resin that allows for material separation and reuse in various applications, marking a significant advancement in wind turbine sustainability. While other blade recycling methods are in development, these "designed-for-recycling" blades represent a major step forward. Sofia, a 1.4 GW project, is slated for completion in 2026 and underscores RWE's commitment to innovation and sustainability in offshore wind. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Previous Next

Registration form for the training course: Offshore Wind Robotics and Autonomous Systems First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number Company / Organization Name Job Title or Position Country State, Region, or Province Address Confirm the course name Offshore Wind Robotics and Autonomous Systems Are you applying as: * Individual Group Select the course date * Spring Session Fall Session By clicking submit you agree to our Terms and Conditions Submit Your application has been submitted. We will reach out to you to complete the payment

< Back Offshore Wind: The Reliability Anchor Hiding in Plain Sight May 16th, 2025 Written by Adrienne Downey, Director of Offshore Wind at Power Advisory LLC. As electricity demand surges and fossil generation retires, North America’s grid is entering a reliability crunch. According to NERC, half the U.S. grid could face capacity shortfalls within the decade. In PJM, summer peaks are forecast to reach 230 GW by 2045 , while New York’s winter peak could hit 52 GW by 2040 — more than double today’s level. Traditionally, gas has been the grid’s safety net. But that role is slipping. Turbine backlogs now push deployment into the 2030s, and new 25% steel and aluminum tariffs add cost and complexity. Even firm resources are proving far less firm than assumed. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are the next big hope for some. On paper, they offer scalable, flexible, zero-carbon nuclear capacity. But early analysis pegs SMR costs at $863/kW annually — about $109/MWh , assuming a generous 90% capacity factor. As Twain said, “History doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes.” The pattern of underestimating costs for complex, capital-heavy infrastructure should give anyone pause. SMRs remain unproven at scale, subject to long permitting timelines, and exposed to the same material tariffs now hobbling other technologies. And beyond economics, they reopen nuclear’s thorniest questions — from operational risk to multi-century waste management. The U.S. has no active plan for permanent high-level waste storage, and Yucca Mountain remains stalled. Expecting institutions to safely steward radioactive material over millennia, when most policy can barely see past the next budget cycle, is a gamble with profound implications. What we need is a resource that’s reliable, scalable, clean, and ready to build now. That’s offshore wind. Solar and onshore wind are foundational to our energy future, and the recent surge in storage is a welcome boon. But storage still needs power . Offshore wind brings unique value: strong, steady output during winter, when electrification-driven demand is rising. Along the Eastern Seaboard, ELCC studies show offshore wind delivering up to 69% of its nameplate capacity during peak conditions. In New York, a 25 GW offshore portfolio could contribute up to 10 GW of winter reliability — nearly 20% of peak. In PJM, New Jersey’s 11 GW target could deliver 7.6 GW of ELCC-qualified capacity. Pull offshore wind from the table, and reserve margins collapse. Up to 20 GW of dependable, clean capacity disappears. Scarcity pricing kicks in. Ratepayers take the hit — or worse yet, are left in the dark. And this all assumes everything else goes right — new gas, storage, seamless imports. But now even Canadian hydro imports face a 25% tariff — a cost hit households can ill afford — especially during winter, when rising grocery prices, heating bills, and inflation have already strained family budgets. Like all new generation in active development, offshore wind is tariff-exposed today — but once built, it delivers power without volatile fuel costs, trade dependencies, or emissions. And as we’ll explore in a future piece, the influence of zero-fuel resources on market pricing may prove just as powerful. Resilience isn’t ideological — it’s structural. And offshore wind is a pillar we can’t afford to remove. You don’t need to believe in climate change to believe in keeping the lights on. You just need to believe in the numbers. And they say offshore wind isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. Previous Next

< Back Let Developers Lead: The Smarter Path Forward For Offshore Wind May 30th, 2025 Written by Siniša Lozo, Director of Business Development at Naver Energy I have worked across Europe, from mature to emerging offshore wind markets, wearing many hats: project developer, market builder, policy shaper. In some markets, we had to build the rules and the project simultaneously. And what I have learned is this: if you want offshore wind to succeed - you need to let those who develop lead – and listen to the local community. This isn’t a plea for deregulation or a swipe at government. It’s about being honest with what works. And what works is speed, flexibility, and real-world engagement—something the entire offshore wind sector desperately needs right now. Offshore Wind is a U.S. Renaissance Waiting to Happen Let’s be clear - offshore wind isn’t just a climate tool. It’s an industrial renaissance waiting to happen. It creates high-quality jobs, powers heavy industry, revives shipyards and ports, and strengthens energy independence. Done right, it’s a win for both sides of the political aisle: · For progressives: clean energy and green jobs. · For conservatives: private enterprise, national strength, and less reliance on foreign supply chains. That’s the beauty of offshore wind—it can speak both languages. But to realize this, we need a new way of thinking. Stop Over Planning. Start Listening - & Start Building East Coast projects have struggled under a plan-led model—rigid, top-down, slow. Permitting delays, rising costs, and canceled projects have shown how fragile over-engineered systems can be. Europe has seen these problems too. While the U.S. East Coast offers the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, Vineyard Wind , it took more than a decade to get there. Permitting delays, legal battles, and regulatory complexity dragged the project out far longer than it should have. It was a plan-led project from the start, shaped heavily by federal processes rather than developer initiative. Vineyard Wind is a milestone - but also a warning. A cautionary success story. For every project like it, others have failed or stalled. Ørsted’s cancellation of Ocean Wind 1 and 2 in New Jersey sent shockwaves through the industry. Projects on paper don’t always become steel in the water. Far from it - Europe has faced the same. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, California’s CADEMO project tells a different story. Just 60 MW - but light-years ahead in terms of process. Developer-led, community-engaged, union-connected. They didn’t wait for a perfect policy - they got to work. The same goes for similar projects in Europe. I call them pathfinder projects . In my view, these pathfinder projects are quietly setting a smarter precedent. Developer-led from the beginning - because they move faster, engage earlier, and most importantly: they build local trust by working hand-in-hand with unions, regulators, and local communities. They prove that when developers are empowered - not micromanaged - - they can drive innovation and build momentum alongside key local stakeholders. When Developers Lead and Collaborate With The Local Community, Things Happen: · They move faster than bureaucracy. · They adapt quickly to real-world conditions. · They build trust early - before resistance forms. · They help shape smarter regulation through action, not abstraction. Early stakeholder engagement is key - and the mindset must be proactive , not reactive . And this isn’t just California dreaming. The global proof is already out there: · In Scotland , Neart na Gaoithe built stakeholder trust early and shaved months off its timeline. · In Australia , Ørsted is embedding its Gippsland wind farms into the local community strategy from day one. · In Denmark , the Thor project didn’t just tick boxes—it listened. RWE invited public feedback before anything was final. That engagement shifted infrastructure plans and brought communities on board. These aren’t buzzwords. They’re the difference between headlines and steel in the water. Conclusion If we want offshore wind to succeed in the U.S. - politically, economically, and socially - a developer-led process is needed. We need to build trust , momentum , and ownership . CADEMO should be seen as a blueprint , not an exception in the US. It may be small in size, but it’s massive in meaning. It proves that when developers lead - and when communities are part of the journey - offshore wind can not only survive in tough markets, it can thrive. Doing it right means listening before building , engaging before imposing , and acting before over planning . It means recognizing that developer-led models, guided by real-world experience and grounded in local relationships, can outperform rigid, plan-led ones - whether in California, Denmark, Scotland, or Australia. This moment is too important to be trapped in slow-moving frameworks or even “stopped” entirely in the US. Offshore wind can be the superpower of energy - but only if we unleash those ready to build and let them lead. Done right, and sold right, the U.S. has the potential to become the North Star of offshore wind globally. Previous Next

< Back U.S. Offshore Wind: An Update on Near-Term Projects March 24, 2025 The U.S. offshore wind industry, while making leaps and bounds in some areas, has faced a significant amount of turbulence in recent years. A recent report released by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) projects about 14 GW of wind capacity offshore U.S. coastlines by 2030, significantly shy of the goal of 30 GW set by the Biden administration in 2021. The 2024 Offshore Wind Market Report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory projects $65 billion will be invested in offshore wind projects by 2030. According to the report, there is 56 GW under development across 37 leases in the United States. There are currently 12 GW of projects with active offtake agreements, including 5 GW under active construction at Vineyard Wind, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. There is merely 172 MW of offshore wind capacity currently installed in the United States as of 2024. This is only a fraction of China’s current capacity (the global leader in offshore wind capacity) with nearly 38 GW online. Increasing material costs, high interest rates, and supply chain disruptions have led multiple offshore wind companies in the last few years to cancel or renegotiate power contracts for planned offshore wind farms. The current administration's policy shifts have also significantly reshaped the near-term trajectory of the U.S. offshore wind pipeline. Following a presidential memorandum that paused offshore wind leasing and mandated a review of existing permits, numerous projects have encountered delays, divestments, and financial write-downs due to heightened economic uncertainties. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the near-term U.S. offshore wind projects, categorizing them based on their status: operational, under construction, approved but not yet under construction, paused or delayed, and temporarily canceled. The Overall Outlook: - 0.172 GW in operation - 5 GW under construction - 3.8 GW approved, not yet under construction - 11.5 GW delayed or paused - 9.6 GW temporarily cancelled Projects in Operation: The U.S. currently has 172 MW (0.172 GW) of operational offshore wind capacity across three pioneering projects. South Fork Wind : America’s first commercial scale offshore wind farm by Ørsted & Skyborn Renewables located 35 miles east of Montauk Point, NY. It’s composed of twelve Siemens Gamesa 11 MW turbines with a nameplate capacity of 130 MW . First approved by the Long Island Power Authority in 2017, construction of South Fork Wind started in January 2022 and ended in March 2024. The project powers around 70,000 Long Island homes. Block Island Pilot Project : A 30 MW pilot project by Ørsted off the coast of Rhode Island that is composed of five GE Haliade 6 MW offshore wind turbines which have replaced 5 diesel generators that previously powered the island. A mere 10% of the output covers 100% of Block Island’s power consumption with the rest being exported to the mainland. Coastal Virginia Pilot Project : A pilot project ( 12 MW ) composed of two 6-megawatt offshore wind turbine generators located approximately 27 miles east of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia in water depths up to 79 ft. The turbines are the first to be installed in United States federal waters and will be used to advise a larger commercial scale development. The pilot project has been fully operational since Fall 2020. Projects Under Construction: There are currently four projects under construction representing around 5 GW of renewable electricity. Vineyard Wind 1 : Vineyard Wind is currently building the nation's first utility-scale offshore wind project over 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts with Avangrid & Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). The project will generate renewable energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses. The 806 MW project will consist of 62 General Electric Haliade-X turbines, each capable of generating 13 MW of electricity. Status : Construction activities began in Barnstable in November of 2021 where the onshore substation and onshore export cables are located. Offshore construction activities began in 2022 with offshore export cable installation. Wind turbine installation activities in the lease area began in 2023 and are ongoing. Vineyard Wind 1 achieved first power on January 2, 2024, when one turbine delivered approximately 5 MW of power to the electricity grid. On June 26, 2024, Avangrid announced that it had placed 10 turbines into production. The remaining monopile foundations and transition pieces are still being installed and cable laying operations for the inter-array cables will be conducted throughout April 2025. Recent News : A blade failure on July 13, 2024, resulted in a pause to construction along with immediate remediation efforts to clean up the debris. Vineyard plans to replace all blades from the GE factory in Gaspe, Canada and continue construction. As of January 17th, 2025, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has completed a review and approved the revised COP submitted by Vineyard Wind 1 and removed the suspension order on power generation and the installation of the remaining wind turbines. More information regarding the blade incident here. Revolution Wind : Revolution Wind, the first multi-state offshore wind project will supply 715 MW of offshore wind energy to Rhode Island and Connecticut – enough clean electricity to power more than 350,000 homes. The project by Ørsted & Skyborn will consist of 65 Siemens Gamesa 11-megawatt turbines 15 miles off the Rhode Island Coast and 32 miles southeast of the Connecticut coast. Revolution Wind is adjacent to the already completed South Fork Wind project. Status : Local construction work on Revolution Wind began in 2023 and the project is expected to be fully operational by 2026. Ørsted installed the project’s first monopile foundation in May and its first wind turbine in September. So far they have successfully installed 52 foundations and 9 turbines at Revolution Wind. Revolution Wind Fact Sheet Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project (CVOW) : The largest commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the U.S. ( 2.6 GW ) composed of 176 14.7-megawatt Siemens Gamesa turbines, which will create enough renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes. It will be the largest offshore wind project in the nation and the first owned by an electric utility company — Dominion Energy . The CVOW project is credited with creating 2,000 direct and indirect American jobs and $2 billion of economic activity. Status : The project recently reached 50% completion as the final monopiles and transition pieces were installed and remains on track for completion by the end of 2026. As of November 2024, Dominion Energy announced that 78 monopile foundations and 4 offshore substation foundations were installed for the project during the first installation season. CVOW continues to achieve significant construction milestones including the successful installation of the first 16 transition pieces which serve as the junction between the foundation and tower for each of the 176 wind turbines. Delivery of the first three 4,300-ton offshore substations to the Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Virginia Beach occurred at the end of January and the first was installed by DEME Group in mid-March. Fully fabricated monopiles, transition pieces, undersea cable and other major components continue to be delivered in preparation for on-schedule installation. Wind turbine tower and blade fabrication is also underway, with nacelle fabrication to begin later this quarter. Check out the full construction timeline here. Sunrise Wind : A 924 MW project by Ørsted consisting of 84 Siemens Gamesa 8.0-167 Direct Drive (DD) wind turbines. Located 30 miles east of Long Island’s Montauk Point, the project has the capacity to power nearly 600,000 New York homes. Click here for the latest construction updates. Status : Onshore construction began in summer of 2024. The first phase of construction included the onshore converter station on Union Avenue in Holbrook and establishing laydown yards for equipment and material storage and set-up. As of September 2024, more than half of the advanced foundation components had already been built by Riggs Distler , as the project gears up for offshore construction in 2025. Sunrise Wind is expected to be operational sometime in 2027. Check out the latest construction report here . Projects With Approval, Not Yet Under Construction: Four projects representing about 3.8 GW of renewable energy. Empire Wind : Empire Wind is being built by Equinor and will be located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island. The project is being developed in two phases. Empire Wind 1 will be composed of 54 Vestas 15 MW turbines with a nameplate capacity of 810 MW , powering 500,000 New York homes. A second part of the lease area, Empire Wind 2 is currently in early-stage development with options currently being assessed. It will bring power onshore at the Sunset Park Onshore Substation, located next to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. After that, the power will continue to Gowanus Brooklyn Substation where it will interconnect into the New York City grid. Status : Equinor finalized the federal lease for Empire Wind in March 2017 and BOEM issued final approval for the Final Construction and Operations Plan (COP) in February 2024. Construction on the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal began in June 2024, with a groundbreaking ceremony. The terminal will take about two years to complete construction. Offshore construction is expected to begin in 2025, and first power is expected to be delivered in late 2026. Empire Wind 1 is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027. Financial close was reached at the end of December 2024 with the project securing a financing package of over $3 billion USD. Maryland Offshore Wind Project : The Maryland Offshore Wind Project by US Wind, Inc consists of three planned phases, which include the proposed installation of up to 114 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substation platforms, one meteorological tower, and up to four offshore export cable corridors. Two phases, known as MarWin and Momentum Wind , already have offshore renewable energy certificates from the State of Maryland. As for the third phase, the developers plan to build out the remainder of the lease area to fulfill ongoing, government-sponsored demands for offshore wind energy. US Wind, Maryland’s leader in offshore wind development, holds the lease rights to a federal lease area off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. The lease area, about 80,000 acres in size, has the capacity to generate about 2.2 GW of offshore wind energy, which is enough electricity to power over 700,000 homes each year. -The first phase of US Wind’s lease area, called “ MarWin ,” is an offshore wind project that will deliver approximately 300 MW of clean, renewable electricity to Maryland by constructing 22 turbines or less over 20 miles from shore. This will power more than 92,000 homes each year. In addition to building MarWin, which was approved by the state in 2017, US Wind now also plans to develop Momentum Wind , a new 808 MW offshore wind project that will be located 15 miles off the coast of Maryland with up to 55 turbines. When taken together, the two projects will deliver 1,100 MW of clean energy to the grid, powering more than 340,000 homes with renewable energy. More information here: Fact Sheet Status : On December 3rd, 2024, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued its final approval of the company’s Construction and Operations Plan (“COP”), marking the agency’s final permit on US Wind’s federal permitting application. Additionally, the National Marine Fisheries Services (“NMFS”) issued a Letter of Authorization to US Wind on November 26, 2024, marking that agency’s final authorization for US Wind’s construction in the federal lease area off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. On December 10th, US Wind announced that the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has approved three permit applications to connect its offshore wind power to the regional electrical grid in Sussex County, Delaware. These approvals allow US Wind to responsibly land its power cables underneath 3R’s Beach parking lot in the Delaware Seashore State Park and safely route them under the Indian River Bay, ultimately connecting to the regional electrical grid at Delmarva Power and Light’s Indian River substation in Dagsboro, Delaware. US Wind plans to begin onshore construction in 2026 and offshore construction in 2028. New England Wind (NEW) 1 & 2 : Iberdrola through Avangrid , its subsidiary in the United States is building New England 1 & 2 which will border the already operational Vineyard Wind 1 to the south in New England. Together, these three projects would have a total capacity of up to 2.6 GW of clean, renewable energy that BOEM estimates could power more than 900,000 homes each year. The projects are situated approximately 20 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and about 24 nm southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The Construction and Operations plan (COP) includes up to 129 wind turbine generators, with up to five offshore export cables transmitting electricity to onshore transmission systems in the Town of Barnstable and Bristol County, Massachusetts. In July 2024, Avangrid announced that it had received full federal approval of the COP for the New England Wind 1 and 2 offshore projects. The approval of the COP follows the favorable Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the Biden Administration in April 2024. Status : On May 15, 2024, the New England Wind project was segregated into two leases, New England Wind 1 (OCS-A 0534) and New England Wind 2 (OCS-A 0561). The northern portion of the original lease was retained by Park City Wind, LLC for the New England Wind 1 Project, formerly Phase 1, and retains the original lease number given by BOEM. The southern portion of the original lease was assigned to Commonwealth Wind, LLC and is now referred to as the New England Wind 2 project, formerly Phase 2. Avangrid had already secured power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the two projects with the state electric distribution companies in Massachusetts (for Commonwealth Wind) and Connecticut (for Park City Wind). However, the developer terminated both PPAs in 2023 with plans to re-enter the projects into new state solicitations. Last march, Avangrid submitted a combined proposal for the two projects which offer the region 1,870 MW of offshore wind power, enough to power nearly 1 million homes. The developer noted that New England Wind 2 is only offered as a combined project with New England Wind 1 to capture important economics of scale and support significant grid upgrades. They also submitted a proposal for just the NEW 1 project, slated to deliver 791 MW . NEW 1 (retained by Park City Wind): The first phase of the project will have an installed capacity of 791 MW , enough energy to power 400,000 homes in the region. With local, state, and federal permits, all interconnection rights secured, and a Project Labor Agreement signed, Avangrid is awaiting approval of a power purchase agreement to begin building this new project in 2025, which is slated to reach full commercial operation by 2029. As of September 6th 2024: Massachusetts selected 791 MW of the New England Wind 1 project. NEW 2 (retained by Commonwealth Wind): Phase 2 is planned to have an installed capacity of up to 1,080 MW , according to the documents at BOEM. On January 19, 2025, the EPA issued the final Clean Air Act Title V operating permit for Commonwealth Wind, LLC’s New England Wind 2 Offshore Wind Energy Development Project. Despite receiving federal approvals, the project is currently contingent upon New England Wind 1 moving forward. Delayed or Paused Projects: Seven projects representing 11.5 GW of renewable electricity. Vineyard Northeast : Avangrid & Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) proposes to construct and operate Vineyard Northeast which covers approximately 132,370 acres and is located approximately 31 miles from Nantucket, Massachusetts and 39 miles from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. According to the Construction & Operations Plan (COP), Vineyard Northeast will include 160 total wind turbine generators (WTG) and is projected to generate around 2.6 GW of electricity, with the potential to power over 900,000 homes. Status : Permits have been submitted to federal authorities in mid-2024 but have not yet been approved and are unlikely to be under the Trump administration. It is assumed that this project is delayed due to political uncertainty. Attentive Energy : In 2022, Attentive Energy participated in a bid for a lease area in the New York Bight, covering 132 square miles off the coast of New York and New Jersey. Attentive Energy, a joint venture between TotalEnergies , Corio Generation , and Rise Light & Power , decided to split the site into two projects: AE1 & AE2. In October 2023, the Attentive Energy One ( 1,400 MW ) project was selected in New York’s third competitive offshore wind solicitation, which was later canceled due to ”technical and commercial complexities between provisional awardees and their partners”. The company decided not to rebid in New York’s latest offshore wind solicitation. Attentive Energy 2 (AE2): A Project off the coast of New Jersey with a capacity of 1,342 MW . In January 2024, it was selected by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU). AE2 was set to move forward, with plans to continue development despite putting a pause on AE1 in New York due to potential political hurdles. The project was expected to be operational by 2031 but has been delayed for up to 4 years due to political uncertainties. Status : As of January 23 2025: Attentive Energy 2 have filed a 'Motion for Limited Stay' to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) asking for a year-long delay to pay required securities for the projects Commercial Operation Date (COD) commitment. The first payment, a deposit of USD 33.5 million, was due on 24 January 2025 alongside a USD 3.7 million payment with the state's Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI). The reasons for this motion are cited as 'delays or uncertainty associated with common infrastructure'. Atlantic Shores South (Project 1 & 2): Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (ASOW) is a 50:50 partnership between Shell and EDF Renewables North America and its Lease Area is located approximately 10-20 miles off the coast of New Jersey between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light. ASOW owns three lease areas (Atlantic Shores North, Atlantic Shores South, & The New York Bite) totaling more than 400 square miles under active development. Atlantic Shores South Project 1 and 2 have a total capacity of up to 2,800 MW of clean, renewable energy that BOEM estimates could power close to one million homes each year. The projects are approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. The approved COP includes up to 197 total positions for wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt, New Jersey. Projects in the other two other lease areas are still in the planning phase and have not yet been approved. Status : In June of 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities awarded Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind a contract to develop 1,510 MW in offshore wind energy, enough to power up to over 700,000 homes. On October 1st 2024, Atlantic Shores announced that it had received Construction and Operations Plan (COP) approvals from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for Projects 1 and 2. Following the changing political landscape and executive orders barring new offshore wind leasing, Shell pulled out of the project and EDF booked a $980 million impairment. EDF says it still hopes to build the project but is silent on when. As of May 14th, 2025, a federal appeals board ordered that a crucial air quality permit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued in October under the Biden Administration to be revoked, sending it back to the agency for further consideration. South Coast Wind 1 & 2 : OW Ocean Winds plans to build South Coast Wind 1 (formerly Mayflower Wind) which will deliver approximately 1,200 MW via an electric grid connection at Brayton Point/Somerset, Massachusetts in the late 2020s. The project area covers approximately 127,388 acres and is about 26 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard and 20 nm south of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The approved COP includes the construction of up to 141 wind turbine generators and up to five offshore substation platforms located at a maximum of 143 positions, and up to eight offshore export cables located in up to two corridors, potentially making landfall in Brayton Point or Falmouth, Massachusetts. SouthCoast Wind is also looking at Brayton Point for interconnection of the second 1,200 MW of electricity generated in the lease area from South Coast Wind 2 . Falmouth, MA continues to remain an option for this second phase while grid capacity and timing of necessary upgrades are determined. Status : On January 17, 2025, BOEM announced the approval of the SouthCoast Wind Project Construction and Operations Plan (COP). The lease area has the potential to generate up to 2,400 MW of renewable energy for New England and power over 840,000 homes. EDPR and Engie recently booked an impairment of $139 million each and said the construction could be pushed back by up to 4 years from 2025 to 2029. They expect a delay due to the current administration and took a write-down on the asset to reflect the possibility of a four-year delay. Leading Light Wind : The Leading Light Wind project, a 2.4 GW offshore wind farm proposed by Invenergy and energyRe around 40 miles off the coast of New Jersey, is facing significant delays due to ongoing volatility in the wind turbine equipment market. Initially selected by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) in January 2024, the project encountered setbacks when its planned turbine supplier, GE Vernova , ceased production of the intended 18 MW turbines. Subsequent negotiations with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy resulted in substantial cost increases, and Vestas was deemed unsuitable, leaving Invenergy without a viable supplier. Status : Invenergy has requested multiple delays from the NJBPU, extending the project's contract pause to May 20, 2025, to navigate these challenges. The project was originally scheduled to begin construction in 2028 and operations in 2032 but this timeline is subject to change. Despite facing challenges, Invenergy remains committed to the project, emphasizing its potential environmental and economic benefits for New Jersey. Temporarily Cancelled Projects: Ten projects representing 9.6 GW of renewable electricity. While not all of these projects have been officially terminated, many require restructuring due to changes in market conditions, likely resulting in significant delays. Ocean Wind 1 and 2 : Ocean Wind 1 ( 1,100 MW ) and Ocean Wind 2 ( 1,148 MW ) were planned to be built off the coast of New Jersey totaling 2.2 GW of potential generation. In late 2023, Ørsted decided to cease the development of Ocean Wind 1 and 2. The projects experienced significant impacts from macroeconomic factors, including high inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain constraints, particularly a vessel delay on Ocean Wind 1 that considerably impacted project timing. The company intends to retain the seabed lease area and consider the best options as part of the ongoing portfolio review. Ørsted agreed to pay New Jersey $125 million to settle claims over the company's cancellation of the two offshore wind farm projects. Skipjack Wind 1 & 2 : The Skipjack Wind project, a 966 MW offshore wind project, was planned to be Maryland's first offshore wind project, located off the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula. In January 2024, Ørsted terminated its offtake agreement with the State of Maryland for the project, citing challenging market conditions (inflation, high-interest rates, and supply chain constraints). While Ørsted terminated the offtake agreement, they stated that they will continue advancing development and permitting for the project, including submitting an updated Construction and Operations plan to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). They also plan to reposition the project for future offtake opportunities. This decision came shortly after Ørsted cancelled its Ocean Wind projects in New Jersey. Vineyard 2 : A proposed 1,200 MW offshore wind project that could have powered 650,000 New England homes. While Massachusetts had agreed to buy 800 MW, the project's full viability depended on Connecticut's participation. The project is no longer moving forward in its original form because Connecticut declined to purchase the remaining 400 MW needed to complete the project, opting for solar and storage projects instead. Consequently, Vineyard Offshore withdrew from contract negotiations, as they couldn't secure the full 1,200 MW. Attentive Energy 1, Community Offshore Wind, and Excelsior Wind: In April 2024, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority ( NYSERDA ) cancelled three offshore wind projects, that had received provisional awards in October 2023, due to "technical and commercial complexities" and a change in turbine design by GE Vernova . A key factor in the cancellations was GE's decision to halt development of an 18-MW variant of its Haliade-X turbine, which the projects were planned to use. They decided to shift their focus to smaller turbines (15.5/16.5 MW) which led to technical and commercial complexities, making the projects no longer viable. This shift to smaller turbines meant that developers would need to install more turbines to achieve the promised electricity output, which would increase project costs dramatically. These cancelled projects represent 4 GW of provisionally awarded capacity. Attentive Energy 1 (AE1) : A 1,400 MW project set to deliver clean electricity to New York. AE1 was cancelled by NYSERDA in April 2024 due to changes in turbine technology from the preferred provider GE Vernova, which significantly impacted the cost and feasibility of the projects. NYSERDA launched New York's fifth competitive offshore wind solicitation (ORECRFP24-1) on July 17, 2024. Attentive Energy rebid the project but later withdrew. Attentive Energy cited the need to continue evaluating market conditions and future opportunities, while remaining committed to deploying offshore wind and contributing to regional goals. -AE’s statement from October 21, 2024: “Attentive Energy has decided to withdraw its bid from New York State’s fifth solicitation for offshore wind projects. Attentive Energy commends the State’s steadfast support of offshore wind and will continue to evaluate market conditions and future opportunities as they arise. As Attentive Energy continues to advance opportunities from our lease area, we remain committed to deploying offshore wind and contributing toward our region’s shared economic and environmental goals.” Community Offshore Wind : RWE and National Grid have partnered to jointly develop offshore wind projects in the Northeast U.S. As of October 18, 2024, Community Offshore Wind submitted their full proposal to provide clean offshore wind energy for the State of New York. The proposed project could deliver up to 2.8 GW of renewable energy, built in two phases in the developer’s federal offshore wind lease area in the New York Bight. 1,314 MW was planned to be developed in the first phase but was cancelled by NYSERDA. Excelsior Wind : Vineyard Offshore (owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners) plans to build a 1,350 MW project in the New York Bite, approximately 24 miles off the coast of Long Island. The wind farm would deliver enough electricity to power more than 700,000 New York homes. BOEM began an environmental review for Vineyard Mid-Atlantic where the project is located in January 2025. However, President Trump's memorandum pausing offshore wind activities led to the cancellation of scheduled public meetings, effectively halting the review process. Empire Wind 2 : Equinor and bp terminated the Empire Wind 2 project, a 1,260 MW offshore wind farm, citing increased costs, supply chain disruptions, and changing commercial conditions. The companies stated that inflation, interest rates, and supply chain disruptions made the project's existing Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) agreement no longer viable. The cancellation also included the termination of contracts for an offshore substation platform and scour rock installation. The project, previously a joint venture between Equinor and BP, has been reset, and the OREC agreement has been terminated. Equinor now holds full ownership of the Empire Wind projects (including Empire Wind 1 and 2), while BP has taken full ownership of Beacon Wind, which is still in the development process. Ice Breaker Wind (Great Lakes Pilot Project): The 20 MW project, spearheaded by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo), aimed to install six wind turbines about eight miles off the Cleveland shoreline to test the feasibility of offshore wind power in the Great Lakes. I ntended to be the first freshwater offshore wind farm in North America on Lake Erie, was put on hold indefinitely in December 2023 due to rising costs, challenges, and delays, despite having obtained all necessary permits. LEEDCo remains open to the possibility of partnering with another developer to take over the project, and board members remain optimistic that the project will come to fruition in Cleveland. Resources: Stay up to date on the status of ongoing offshore wind projects in the U.S. Offshore Wind Power Hub : tracks offshore wind policies, projects, and lease areas in the United States, and provides a platform for advocates and policymakers to collaborate and share resources. Check out this interactive map to see all of the ongoing projects in the U.S. Northeast Ocean Data Portal : provides free, user-friendly access to expert-reviewed interactive maps and data on the ocean ecosystem, economy, and culture of the northeastern United States. 4C Offshore (TGS) Offshore Wind Database : 4C Offshore marine intelligence software provides exclusive access to a range of specialized services including the Offshore Substation Database, offline databases, reports, newsletters, online tools and more. You will need Full access to use the 4C Offshore interactive system, access reports, updates, news, and downloads. BOEM Offshore Renewable Activities : Search by state or project for information on U.S. offshore wind projects or use the interactive map. Previous Next

Stay updated with AOWA’s latest press releases covering offshore wind industry news, training programs, and policy developments Press Releases AOWA Expands Globally as the Offshore Wind Academy (OWA) 08/05/2025 The American Offshore Wind Academy (AOWA) is officially expanding its reach globally as the “Offshore Wind Academy” (OWA) Read More Statement on Empire Wind 1 Project Pause 4/17/25 As President of the American Offshore Wind Academy (AOWA), I express deep concern and strong opposition to the recent decision to halt construction activities on the Empire Wind I project—one of the most advanced, fully permitted offshore wind developments in the United States. Read More AOWA Collaborates with MassCEC: Targeted Offshore Wind Programs for MWBEs 2/12/25 AOWA is partnering with MassCEC, in developing targeted programs to empower woman and minority entrepreneurs (MWBEs) to succeed and become leaders in the clean energy space... Read More AOWA’s Statement on Executive Order Pausing Offshore Wind Leasing and Permitting 1/22/25 The recent executive order pausing offshore wind leasing and permitting is a serious setback to America’s growing offshore wind industry... Read More AOWA Announces 2024 Awards at the Floating Wind Solutions (FWS) Conference 1/17/25 In 2024 at American Offshore Wind Academy, we trained 400+ people from over 160 companies. There were a few who stood out to us for being professional development champions... Read More AOWA Launches New Podcast Series: Ask The Expert 11/01/24 In AOWA's "Ask the Expert" series, we sit down with a top offshore wind expert for a quick "coffee chat" on various offshore wind topics. You can join us directly on LinkedIn... Read More AOWA Sponsors ACP Offshore Wind Power Conference 9/28/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is a proud sponsor of the American Clean Power (ACP) Offshore Wind Power Conference... Read More AOWA Sponsors AFloat - American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit 9/24/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is a proud sponsor of this year's American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit... Read More AOWA Launches Scholarship Program 8/28/24 Empower your career with The American Offshore Wind Academy... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with UMaine 8/07/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Supports Reuters Event: Offshore Wind USA 2024 Conference 6/12/24 American Offshore Wind Academy is a proud supporting partner for Reuters Events Renewables: Offshore Wind USA 2024 conference... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with General Electric (GE Vernova) 4/17/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 3/18/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with K&L Gates 3/12/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with Aker Solutions 3/05/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with 2H Offshore 2/26/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with Oceaneering 2/15/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with TGS 2/12/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More PES Wind: AOWA Takes Strides in Advancing Offshore Wind Professional Training 2/08/24 In a bid to foster excellence in offshore wind professional training, the American Offshore Wind Academy (AOWA) has been making significant strides since its launch last fall... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with Alpine 2/03/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Announces Partnership with Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) 2/01/24 The American Offshore Wind Academy is pleased to share our latest partnership updates... Read More AOWA Launched at ACP Conference 10/03/23 AOWA officially launched during the American Clean Power (ACP) Conference in Boston, heralding a new chapter in the offshore wind industry's commitment to empower the industry through education, training, and collaboration... Read More

Explore expert insights and industry perspectives on offshore wind energy from AOWA's network of thought leaders, innovators, and policy voices. Op-Eds Hurricanes & Offshore Wind July 10th, 2025 Written by Sarah McElman, Lead Consultant at Metocean Expert Americas. Read More What is a Geotechnical and Geophysical Site Investigation & Why Does it Matter? June 27th, 2025 Written By Creed Goff, R.G. and reviewed by Justin Bailey and Robert Mecarini from Alpine Ocean Seismic Survey, Inc. Read More After Empire June 19th. 2025 Written by Dawn MacDonald, Global Offshore Wind Sector Lead at AECOM Read More Let Developers Lead: The Smarter Path Forward For Offshore Wind May 30th, 2025 Written by Siniša Lozo, Director of Business Development at Naver Energy Read More Offshore Wind: The Reliability Anchor Hiding in Plain Sight May 16th, 2025 Written by Adrienne Downey, Director of Offshore Wind at Power Advisory LLC. Read More

Explore career opportunities in the offshore wind industry. Find jobs, internships, and training programs with AOWA Join Our Team! Job Type Select Job Type Workspace Select Workspace Search Jobs Number of jobs found: 3 Course Coordinator - Internship (Currently filled) North America View Job Marketing Communications Manager (Currently filled) North America View Job Director of Client Services (Currently filled) North America View Job American Offshore Wind Academy, AOWA, Offshore wind energy, Wind power training, Renewable energy education, Wind farm development, Offshore wind courses, Clean energy workforce, Wind turbine technology, Wind farm operations, Wind power maintenance, Offshore wind farm, Sustainable energy solutions, Green energy jobs, Marine technology training, Offshore wind career, Wind energy certification, Energy sector workforce, Renewable energy transition, Turbine engineering, Wind power policy, Energy storage solutions, Offshore wind USA, Wind farm O&M, Wind project development, GWO training, Wind industry professionals, Wind power workforce, Wind tech education, Wind turbine courses, Maritime training, Wind energy innovation, Energy policy education, Renewable energy job growth, Offshore wind supply chain, Energy infrastructure, Wind energy leadership, Offshore wind projects, BOEM regulations, Commercial wind energy, Marine spatial planning, Wind power manufacturing, Wind turbine installation, Wind energy finance, Marine safety training, Offshore wind scholarship, Energy transition training, Clean power curriculum, Wind workforce development, Wind energy strategies, Offshore wind technology, Wind energy best practices, Offshore wind operations, Wind turbine maintenance, Green jobs, Blue economy, Floating offshore wind, Wind energy apprenticeships, Offshore project management, Wind farm design, Marine engineering, US wind farms, American clean power, Renewable energy training, Sustainable offshore wind, Wind power apprenticeship, Energy workforce readiness, Wind energy workshop, OSW planning, OSW permitting, OSW development, Renewable energy workforce, Wind farm construction, Offshore wind conferences, Wind energy collaborations, Industry-led academy, Wind energy advocacy, AOWA instructors, Wind technology updates, Offshore wind expansion, Energy systems training, Wind power future, Global wind energy, Equity in wind energy, Climate action, Massachusetts offshore wind, US offshore wind training, Professional wind training, Offshore wind pipeline, Wind energy safety, Energy policy, Wind power tutorials, Marine environment, Offshore wind permitting, Offshore wind partnerships, Wind power solutions, Women in wind energy, Renewable energy future, American wind energy, Technical wind training o1Offshore wind workforce, Offshore wind apprentices, Offshore wind technician, Green maritime economy, Marine construction, Wind turbine logistics, Offshore foundations, Renewable R&D, Marine sustainability, Electricity grid integration, Clean energy workforce pipeline, Coastal communities, Turbine decommissioning, Environmental impact assessment, Offshore wind financing, Vessel design, Safety training offshore, Turbine installation vessels, Offshore wind subcontractors, Transmission cables, OSW EPCI, Substation design, OSW supply chain management, Floating substructures, Deep-water wind, Technology transfer, OSW cost reduction, Emerging OSW markets, Offshore wind insurance, Marine engineering consultancy, Green hydrogen, Hybrid wind energy, Offshore wind mapping, Undersea cables, Offshore wind data analytics, Lidar technology, Renewable energy financing, Clean maritime solutions, Ocean tech start-ups, Marine spatial data, Environmental permitting, Government incentives, Workforce retraining, Offshore port upgrades, Gravitational bases, Wind blade recycling, Cross-sector collaboration, OSW R&D centers, Policy frameworks, Offshore wind synergy, Zero-carbon shipping, Marine robotics, Acoustic monitoring, Turbine blade innovations, Offshore inspection, Grid stability, HVDC systems, Energy microgrids, Offshore wind feasibility, Marine geoscience, Coastal restoration, Local content requirements, Environmental stewardship, Land-to-sea transitions, Port revitalization, Meteorological data, OSW industry forums, International OSW cooperation, Stakeholder engagement, OSW mechanical engineering, Tech incubators, Marine climate resilience, Digital twin technology, OSW workforce pipeline, Eco-friendly turbines, Renewable portfolio standards, Federal OSW policies, Marine licensing, Low-carbon future, Resource assessment, Turbine reliability, Green shipping corridors, OSW construction jobs, Sustainable supply chains, Smart grid integration, Offshore wind boat builders, Coastal economic development, Marine acoustic sensors, Electric infrastructure upgrades, OSW vessel safety, Wind industry leadership, Global offshore wind synergy, Marine engineering solutions, Environmental auditing, OSW project finance, Business intelligence, Energy policy reform, Offtake agreements, Research collaboration, STEM education OSW

Advisory Board of American Offshore Wind Academy Meet AOWA’s advisory board—industry experts guiding the future of offshore wind training and workforce development Board of Advisors Amy McGinty Vice President, Vestas North America Mandar Pandit Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, GE Grid Solutions Lydia Lostan Offshore Wind Director, EDF Renewables North America Jim Bennett Former Chief of The Office of Renewable Energy Programs, BOEM Serene Hamsho President, American Offshore Wind Academy Mike Starrett Chief Commercial Officer, Ocean Winds North America Adrienne Downey Principal Engineer and Country Manager, Hexicon North American Jay Borkland Supply Chain and Port Director, Avangrid Eric Thumma Head of U.S., Corio Generation Alla Weinstein Founder & CEO, Trident Winds Inc Theodore Paradise Energy Partner, K&L Gates

Tue, Sep 03 | Wix Office MY EVENT This is a great place to get your guests excited by telling them a little more about this event. RSVP Time & Location Sep 03, 2024, 6:00 PM – Sep 04, 2024, 9:00 PM Wix Office, 500 Terry Francois Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 About the event Use this space to tell guests more about this event, e.g., event schedule, speakers, important info & more. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. This is a paragraph about your event. You can tell guests about the event history, background, types of participants and more. This is a great place to give guests plenty of additional information to get them excited to register. To customize this text head to Manage Event > Event Details. Show More RSVP Share this event