Siemens Gamesa's plan to establish a nacelle factory in the US is good news for the supply chain growth.
In the US offshore wind market, the gap between project planning and construction is narrowing down quickly. Establishing a turbine component fabrication facility is what the US market needs, which of course will create jobs and boost investment to the region.
However, the US has so far been on the fence on establishing several of the important aspects needed for a well-functioning offshore wind supply chain.
Regardless of the close ties the European market might continue to have with the US, the US market will have to become self-sufficient in fabrication of the heaviest components like turbines, monopile and jackets. Hauling turbines from Europe to the US is inefficient, carries a carbon footprint, and domestic manufacturing will also ease the pressure on the European market.
Turbine manufacturers are now getting serious about establishing factories in the US, with GE announcing in late January this year that they may also establish facilities New York for fabricating blades and nacelles. Nevertheless, the trigger is yet to be pulled for either SGRE or GE as both sets of plans are dependent on the outcome of the New York solicitation process later this year.
