mill in Cofield, for example, could be a link. And Sanford-based SpanSet supplies pieces that lift components as offshore projects are built in place. Local chambers, such as Ahoskie, are perfect facilitators for county economic-development initiatives. “They’re the driving force in attracting business, industry and special projects, like solar and wind farms, to their communities,” she says. Offshore wind generation is expected to provide more than 36 gigawatts of power — enough to power more than 9 million homes — over the next decade. Steve Kalland, executive director of N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University, says that will require billions of dollars of investment. North Carolina is poised for the opportunity. “We are one of the more manufacturing friendly states, so there is a real push to work, to set North Carolina up to capture supply chain jobs out of offshore wind projects,” he says. There’s no time to waste. Other states are pursuing these opportunities. “When it comes to competition, the race to deliver clean energy and a greener, more modern utility grid will pay off in economic development,” he says. North Carolina already has made strides in developing solar energy. So, the Clean Energy Technology Center, which works
to grow the sustainable energy economy, and Commerce are collaborating, studying potential economic growth, as well as supply chain and workforce opportunities, that could come with the expanding East Coast offshore wind energy industry. “We’ve certainly seen a lot of job creation from the solar boom in North Carolina,” Kalland says. “And now we have a chance to become a player for offshore wind construction and deployment, particularly for the projects that will be off our coast.” Commerce recently started the North Carolina Offshore Wind Supply Chain Registry, which allows companies to publicly declare their interest and ability to supply wind-energy projects with components and services. Those include blades, towers, cables and wind-turbine parts, along with the infrastructure to bring power ashore. Transport and assembly of components, construction staging and site-related work also create jobs. And with ports in Morehead City and Wilmington, North Carolina’s coast offers opportunities to facilitate construction on shore and on the water. Plugging into offshore wind power won’t be without challenges. Kalland foresees the biggest coming from reaching
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