US Atlantic fishermen and mariners could land “thousands of job-years” from contracts in offshore wind through to 2030, according to a new forecast report from the New York State Economic Research & Development Authority (Nyserda).
Research carried out for Nyserda by the Renewables Consulting Group (RCG) calculated that based on the current pipeline of wind projects off the eastern seaboard, some 2,600 job-years of work will be available for fishermen and mariners this decade, with the “option to [further] supplement their income during all phases of a project’s lifecycle” as the build-out offshore expands.
“Fisherman and other mariners already possess the skills that will be essential in building out the emerging US offshore wind industry,” said RCG principal Emily Kuhn.
“With minimal training needed to close gaps and transfer knowledge, recruiting these fishermen and mariners to assist with projects can benefit all sides. Not only will mariners have access to supplemental jobs and income, but the offshore wind industry will have increased access to a local, talented workforce.
“The vast experience of the north-eastern maritime industry is well-known and interested mariners should be considered for jobs in this growing industry. In fact, the offshore wind industry has already seen the benefits of tapping into the experience of fishermen and other mariners to support development activities,” she said.
Kuhn pointed to the integration already underway of the maritime sector into offshore wind, with fisheries representatives in cross-industry liaison positions, and fishing vessels being used “for surveys, for scientific data collection, and as scout vessels to prevent conflict between offshore wind activities and vessel traffic or fishing gear”.
New York has the US’ most ambitious state vision for an offshore wind build-out, with plans to install 9GW of turbines by 2035.
A record 5.2GW of new offshore wind capacity was added worldwide last year, with the global fleet expanding to 32.5GW, according to the latest calculations from industry advocacy body World Forum Offshore Wind. But early forecasts of a 28GW fleet turning by 2030 were impacted by the anti-renewables Trump administration.
The US House of Representatives majority Democrats are to reintroduce legislation – the Ocean-based Climate Solutions Act – that will set the nation’s first targets for offshore wind power capacity in federal waters at 12.5GW by 2025 and 25GW by 2030.
The US’ National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates there is a 2TW offshore wind resource – equal to twice the nation’s current electricity use – flowing over the country’s Pacific and Atlantic oceans. However, only 42MW is turning today, via the landmark Block Island and CVOW arrays, with the first utility-scale development, the serially-delayed 800MW Vineyard Wind 1, still suffering from a long wait on final permitting.
Developer-led industry group the Ocean Renewable Energy Action Coalition expects sea-based wind projects to make up 85% of a 1.4TW build out of renewable ocean energy plant by 2050.
