The strategy to boost offshore wind energy in the U.S. will require more than $3.5 billion of investment in wind turbines

20 April 2023

The U.S. government has set a target of 30 GW of offshore wind energy production by 2030, which would require the installation of approximately 2,100 new wind turbines and the employment of nearly 49,000 employees over the next seven years.

Sarens, as a major player in offshore wind projects around the world, offers public and private institutions involved in the implementation of new wind farms its experience and its fleet of cranes and barges to accelerate this energy transition and ensure that it is carried out with the highest quality and safety standards.

The recently announced strategy set by the US government to halve the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by boosting offshore wind energy will require an investment of more than $3.5 billion in the installation of 2,100 new wind turbines, according to data from the “Supply Chain Road Map for Offshore Wind in the United States” report prepared by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

According to this report, reaching the 30 GW of offshore wind energy forecast will require a significant logistical effort involving nearly 49,000 employees over the next seven years, and the use of 58 crew transfer vessels, between 4 and 6 wind turbine installation vessels, 11 service operation vessels, between 4 and 8 transport vessels or 4 to 6 heavy lift vessels among others. Therefore, Sarens, the world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, offers to all public and private institutions involved in this energy transition its worldwide experience in wind farm installation all over the world, as well as its fleet of cranes and barges, so that the implementation of the new infrastructures and turbines is carried out according to the highest quality and safety standards.

Sarens currently owns eight barges specializing in the transport of monopiles and foundation bases for offshore wind projects around the world, including single, twin barge and modular units, making this company one of the major references in its sector, with a presence in a multitude of wind projects around the world.

If this challenge to reach 30 GW production, enough to supply renewable energy to more than 10 million homes, will require a major effort, the government’s strategy to reach 110 GW produced by offshore wind energy in 2050 will further increase the logistical challenges in the USA. Even more so considering the additional boost to the floating offshore mode, in whose development Sarens is also a reference partner, which should reach 15GW by 2035.

Currently, there are already two projects in the USA close to start-up -Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind- in addition to seven that should be operational by 2025 -Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, The Carolinas, California and Oregon-. In addition, ten other projects currently under review by the Department of the Interior could add 22 GW to the grid.

Sarens owns extensive international experience in the assembly and maintenance of wind farms. It is participating in installations in France such as Saint-Nazaire, Provence Grand Large or more recently, in the lifting and transport work for the foundation bases of the new offshore wind farm in Saint Brieuc, off the Brittany coast, where it has been able to transport loads of more than 1,150 tons.

About Sarens

Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world’s largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today’s heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.

With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 4,543 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors.

https://www.sarens.com/