NC, Denmark reach offshore wind energy agreement for environmental, economic benefits

The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Danish Energy Agency entered an agreement to become partners and collaborators in the advancement of offshore wind by sharing information and best practices.

Denmark has been a global leader in the clean energy transition, currently generating about 70% of its electricity from renewables and nearly half of that from wind energy alone.

That expertise that will be valuable as North Carolina aims to meet its own ambitious goals to cut emissions in the energy sector.

Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said the state is currently developing three offshore wind sites at least 20 miles off the coast for the project.

Because of North Carolina’s central location, consistent wind, and shallow waters it has great potential in the industry. There are more than 400,000 wind energy manufacturing jobs already in the state.

The commerce secretary said this development will reap both environmental and economic benefits.

“The offshore wind and supply chain represents a potential of 100 billion dollars in economic investments, jobs, clean renewable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses,” she said.

Governor Roy Cooper has set an ambitious target to hit eight gigawatts of energy generated by offshore wind by 2040. That’s enough to power roughly 2.3 million homes.

The state is poised to be a leader in the offshore wind energy sphere due to its coastline, workforce and central location.

"We certainly have the opportunity to develop, but what offshore wind development requires is a buyer for that power," said Katharine Kollins with the Southeastern Wind Coalition.

At the North Carolina coast, some expressed concern about the potential impacts. People living on the coast fear turbines will hurt wildlife and tourism to their area.

"We’re going to lose a lot of people that come down here every summer," said Judy Guerrin, who lives in Beaufort.

"It doesn’t surprise me, it disappoints me," said Cane Faircloth, a relator in Brunswick County. "Because we’re running towards something that we don’t know a lot about."