As countries around the world race to mitigate climate disruption by reducing carbon emissions, the U.S. and other leaders in the global energy transition have determined the offshore wind could be a contributor to solving the need for more clean energy. In the next decade, offshore wind in the U.S. is projected to become a $70 billion industry, with an expected $109 billion in private supply chain investments by 2030 (SIOW, 2021) to support fixed-bottom offshore wind alone. Unlike the vast majority of current offshore wind development, all offshore wind procurement goals in California and Oregon will use floating turbines due to our deep waters, representing an even larger supply chain.

While Blue Wind is not advocating directly to develop offshore wind here in Washington, we recognize that to reduce emissions, avoid geopolitical risk, and provide opportunities for American workers, it is imperative that we begin evaluating how to create a domestic supply chain for offshore wind on the West Coast. A domestic supply chain rooted in Washington’s values would offer jobs across many maritime and manufacturing industries, lower emissions from transpacific shipments of components, and help build a West Coast clean energy future. The National Lab of the Rockies (formerly NREL) estimates that to effectively build or convert major facilities needed to manufacture the dozens of needed components for a domestic supply chain, each would cost at least $200–$400 million and take 3–5 years to accommodate stakeholder engagement, financing, permitting, planning, and construction activities. To pave a path for a local supply chain, Washington state needs collaborative voices – that’s where Blue Wind excels.

We’re conveners who bring together government, ports, research, communities, tribes, environmental organizations, labor, and more to find strategies for developing a sustainable and equitable offshore wind supply chain in Washington. We channel the expertise of our staff, Leadership Committee, and broader community to develop and execute research, strategies, and projects to better understand the opportunities for community, industry, and workforce development for Washingtonians in the budding floating offshore wind supply chain.

Blue Wind is staffed by Maritime Blue and guided by an external Leadership Committee that consists of port authorities, labor unions, nonprofits, and community groups. Our core team represents the values of Blue Wind – to engage at multiple levels of government, industry, and community to create an equitable, sustainable, and profitable approach to the offshore wind supply chain.

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Contact bluewind@maritimeblue.org to learn more about engagement opportunities.