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Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has announced plans to develop its first US offshore wind turbine blade facility in Virginia. Siemens Gamesa will develop more than 80 acres/32 hectares at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Portsmouth, Virginia upon the execution of a firm order for the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project with Dominion Energy. The facility, which is expected to cost more than $200 million, will perform finishing of patented Siemens Gamesa Offshore Integral Blades.

“We at Siemens Gamesa have shown the offshore wind industry the way for over 30 years. Establishing the industry’s first dedicated offshore wind turbine blade facility in the United States proves again that we are leading the offshore revolution. The U.S. offshore market is a critical part of our overall global strategy, with our presence in Virginia playing a crucial and central role. Our multimillion US-dollar investment has been energized by the strong collaboration with Dominion Energy and support of Virginia’s legislature and authorities,” states Marc Becker, CEO of the Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit.

Siemens Gamesa also signed a land lease arrangement with the Virginia Port Authority to enable the blade plant, which was backed up by Virginia state incentives for site enhancements. The facility will enable deliveries to the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project as soon as it is operational.

The preferred supplier agreement for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project is still subject to a number of conditions, including Dominion Energy’s final investment decision, regulatory permission, and other essential approvals. The final number of SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbines intended to be used likewise remains to be determined.

REGlobal’s Views: The United States has a large pipeline of offshore wind power projects and most of these projects are in the early stages of development. Thus, more such manufacturing facilities located in close proximity to the offshore wind project sites are expected to come up to ease logistical challenges.