The purpose of the Landing is to develop a cluster of offshore wind companies and foster the growth of Hampton Roads and Virginia as an innovation and supply chain hub of the offshore wind industry.
Hampton Roads has distinguished itself from other regions vying to become the center of the U.S. offshore wind industry by offering companies a risk-free point of entry into the region and the nation’s largest maritime ecosystem. While the upside opportunities of making supply chain investments in the $100 billion East Coast offshore wind industry are high, uncertainties associated with the establishment of a new industry have caused businesses to proceed with caution. The Virginia Offshore Wind Landing offers companies who see the value of Hampton Roads to the offshore wind industry a way to establish a physical presence in the region and tap into an unmatched network of peers and potential business partners.
“With development of Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and Avangrid Renewables’ Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind project, Virginia is now on a trajectory to lead offshore wind development in the U.S.,” commented Doug Smith, Alliance President & CEO. “The Commonwealth is also a natural fit to become a supply chain hub for the offshore wind industry with our best-in-class port infrastructure, a centrally located Landing will allow Hampton Roads to fully leverage these projects and our unmatched assets to speed development of the U.S. supply chain and ensure our region capitalizes on the economic benefits associated with offshore wind industry.”
“As the State looks to welcome the offshore wind industry to Virginia, the Landing will provide important support to those companies as they arrive in Hampton Roads. This critical piece will assist in attracting an industry which is a perfect marriage to Virginia's world class maritime industrial ecosystem,” stated Jennifer Palestrant, Chief Deputy of Virginia’s Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy.
“This venture represents another example of ODU’s commitment to support the region’s growing maritime and offshore wind industries through partnerships with the Alliance and other organizations,” President John R. Broderick said. “We are excited at this next step toward making Hampton Roads a leader in offshore wind and creating new, clean power to meet the needs of the country.”
Founding members of the Landing are global leaders of offshore wind energy and supply chain development including: Atlantic Wind Transfers, Avangrid Renewables, AZCO, Burns & McDonnell, Crowley, Dominion Energy, Nexans, and Seaway 7.
“The opening of the Virginia Offshore Wind Landing provides businesses coming to Hampton Roads a valuable, no cost workspace with easy access to organizations focused on establishing the region as the leading domestic supply chain base for the growing East Coast offshore wind industry,” shared Joshua Bennett, Vice President of Offshore Wind for Dominion Energy.
Marcus Cross, Kitty Hawk Project Director & Director of Offshore Business Development of Avangrid Renewables commented, “The Virginia Offshore Wind Landing is another example of the Alliance’s continued commitment to the offshore wind industry. Avangrid Renewables, with our Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind project, is proud to be a founding member of ‘The Landing’ that will provide a collaborative workspace for the industry as an mid-Atlantic hub.”
“Atlantic Wind Transfers is honored to be a founding member of the Virginia Offshore Wind Landing. The Hampton Roads Alliance has developed a working space that provides valuable resources for offshore wind companies to easily set up in Virginia as Norfolk becomes a major offshore wind hub in the years to come,” commented Charlie Donadio, CEO of Rhode Island Fast Ferry of Atlantic Wind Transfers.
The Virginia Offshore Wind Landing is located in Norfolk, Va. Membership in the Landing provides access to the services and programs of the the Alliance, OpenSeas, and their partners in offshore wind energy, supply chain, and workforce development in Virginia, including: a collaborative work area with Wi-Fi and video conferencing equipment; facilitated access to a regional network of companies, trade associations, governments agencies, universities, and business leaders; participation in OpenSeas innovation, entrepreneurship, and business opportunity development programs; and the opportunity to collaborate with other Landing member companies.
