Port Requirements to Support Offshore Wind Development in North America

Europe is currently the leader in offshore wind (OSW) energy with over 4.3 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity, 13 offshore wind farms currently under construction, and significant ongoing plans for future growth and development of the industry [EWEA, 2012]. Europe's established port facilities offer guidance, demonstrating current infrastructure requirements and projecting future needs of the industry as U.S. ports begin to prepare for the offshore wind industry. This paper considers select examples of existing European offshore wind staging and installation ports that support offshore wind projects in European waters. This paper presents a brief comparison of traditional ports as opposed to offshore wind ports, followed by discussion of critical criteria for a successful staging and installation port. These criteria include: upland area, wharf length, deck live load capacity, navigable depth, and air draft restrictions. Understanding the requirements of an effective staging and installation port, this paper includes recommendations on how existing North American ports can meet the minimum port capability for offshore wind development.