The Oceantic Network’s L100 Summit gathers offshore wind leaders, maps out priorities to capitalize on new opportunities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2021
Contact: Melinda Skea
BALTIMORE – The Oceantic Network held its annual Leadership 100 Summit late last week, bringing together domestic and international industry leaders to map out priorities and action plans in anticipation of the presidential inauguration tomorrow. During the one-day event, participants discussed the opportunities under a new administration and addressed possible roadblocks to industry growth like the need for new leasing areas, more transparency in permitting processes, and more federal and regional coordination to resolve transmission issues.
The offshore wind industry is on the precipice of substantial growth. President Biden promises to put significant focus back on renewable energy development with offshore wind playing a vital role in repowering the United States. Industry leaders expressed confidence in the administration’s proposed policies. The policies would spur billions in new offshore wind energy investments and create new jobs by developing the domestic supply chain. Summit attendees identified common issues and an action plan to fully integrate offshore wind energy into the U.S. energy portfolio.
“The Biden Administration and a new Congress provides a two-year window of opportunity for the industry to firmly establish itself as a key part to the country’s renewable energy portfolio,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Oceantic Network. “Full development of the U.S. offshore wind potential will create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs, billions in new economic development, and help address the climate crisis. The Network is helping make that a reality by bringing together industry leaders and creating plans to achieve success.”
The Leadership 100 Summit convened all levels of the supply chain including developers, turbine manufacturers, cabling companies, vessel makers, environmental planners, finance and investment and legal experts as well as representatives of partner organizations like the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) to identify 100-day, two-year and four-year goals, and develop actionable items. Attendees discussed how resolution of several pending offshore project permits was critical to refocus industry investment in the U.S. and brainstormed ways to create a more transparent federal permitting process. The meeting facilitated important conversations about regional supply chain collaboration, a coordinated industry public education campaign, and further realizing industry-wide standards.
The first Leadership 100 Summit, held in 2018, created benchmarks for future industry success. Since then, the Network has supported industry growth and development by expanding the Supply Chain Connect registry, increasing data collection, and launching a more robust public engagement campaign. It has also led key discussions on grid and transmission planning, both regionally and at the federal level, leading to the publication of the 2020 Offshore Wind Transmission White Paper.
“The Network’s Leadership 100 Summit brought together the most experienced offshore wind talents in Europe and the United States to collaborate on a roadmap that will accelerate supply chain development, job growth, and environmental stewardship,” said Lorry Wagner, USA director of Ventolines. “I was proud of the work we accomplished and it is vital that the industry continue to jointly explore solutions to our most pressing problems.”
For more information contact Melinda Skea at [email protected] or 202-709-9793.
The Oceantic Network is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a robust offshore wind supply chain in the U.S. It advances the industry forward through education, facilitating partnerships, and events, including the International Partnership Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in America. Learn more at oceantic.org.
