Offshore Wind Energy In The Great Lakes Set To Be Worth At Least $1 Billion In The Next 5 Years

20 July 2010

In less than five years, NYPA, through its Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project, hopes to generate between 120 and 500 megawatts of power by installing up to 166, 420-foot-tall wind turbines off the shores of Lake Ontario, Lake Erie or both.

The $1 billion project would place the turbines approximately 21⁄2 miles off shore and could meet the energy demands of up to 615,000 New Yorkers and quell the state’s dependency on coal and oil producing power plants.

Based on the ambitious deadlines set and last years Green Energy Act implemented by Ontario, few regions come close to the rapid pace of the Great Lakes basin when it comes to predicted number of turbines and projects set to dominant North America.

This huge opportunity for global contractors is however complex and unpredictable. With the Jones Act acting against non-USA vessels, there is little global experience of offshore wind construction in the region. As such, any given project can be disrupted by a series of factors including site-specific conditions, state regulations, securing suitable project finance and working with the right contractors along the supply chain.

As a result we are seeing new, construction friendly regulations being introduced and a more proactive approach to offshore wind construction. These benefits have meant that innovative approaches, new technologies and open competition between OEMs and EPCs is growing. This makes the Great Lakes strategically key for a number of high profile established wind energy leaders.

Offshore wind energy construction in this region is costly, technically challenging and potentially hazardous to the environment.  If the deadlines are to be met then careful planning is required and construction strategies must be put in place.  In order to do that some of the following challenges must be faced:

• Site Selection
• Infrastructure Requirements
• Addressing the permitting process
• Selecting Appropriate EPC Contractors
• Effective Use of the Indigenous Workforce
• Access to Engineering Expertise
• Ensuring Accident & Indecent Free Projects
• Identifying and Mitigating Project Execution Risk

The Offshore Wind Energy in the Great Lakes Conference deals with these issues and more. This exclusive meeting can supply your business with the critical intelligence and tools you need to build cost effective, time efficient offshore wind power plants.  With Trillium Wind Power Corporation, NRG Bluewater Wind, LEEDCo, Golder Associates, AON, Ortech Power, A2SEA and many others set to share their installation and permitting experience.  Find out more at www.windenergyupdate.com/toronto

For more information on this press release, contact:

Tom Evans

Head of Sector

Wind Energy Update

+44 207 3757 247