2021 – The Year When Offshore Wind Takes Off in The United States.

An analysis of the drivers and forecast of offshore wind activity in the United States over the next decade.

July 2021

The US offshore wind market continues to take off after years of false starts. A major OCS project has been approved for construction, six OCS projects are under final review, 2.6GW of project capacity has secured state procurements and 11.6GW of new OCS leasing activity in the northeast and California is underway.

Our forecast has increased to 44 projects that will install 40.8GW of capacity in this and the next decade – and will require CAPEX amounting to $135.8 billion to bring onstream, a recurring annual OPEX of $4.2 billion once delivered, and $18.4 billion of DECEX at the end of commercial operations:

• 2 offshore wind projects that are approved and where an FID is imminent.
• 17 offshore wind projects where an FID is expected between 6 and 18 months.
• 9 projects in the midterm planning stage where an FID is expected to be taken in 18-36 months.
• 6 projects in the early planning stage where an FID is anticipated in 30-60 months.
• 3 other areas that will support over ten project future offshore wind projects and where an FID is expected after 60 months.