Offshore Wind and Maritime Economies

Much of Europe is betting on offshore wind as a way of transforming its energy system into one that will be almost entirely based on renewable energies. As a result, Europe and particularly Germany and Denmark have seen a large influx in investments in this sector in the past years, and the quest for becoming the leading supply and manufacturing region is already well underway. As the European offshore wind rush gets underway, the role of seaports becomes ever more important. Every major port along the German and Danish coastlines is expanding to meet the growing demand of the offshore wind industry.

The advantages of seaports are manifold. A well-developed infrastructure both on land and sea make them the ideal assembling point for offshore projects. The offshore wind industry has revitalized European ports, tying together manufacturing, pre-assembly, equipment loading and operations and maintenance, as a hub in the advanced energy supply chain. As the United States works towards groundbreakings on new facilities, this economic development is a critical message that must be shared between stakeholders in the global green economy.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation's Offshore Wind and Maritime Economies Tour will take port union representatives and economic/energy policy development leaders from the US to Denmark and Germany during the week of April 7, 2014, to highlight the growing role that seaports are playing in the offshore wind business and see first-hand the tremendous economic development opportunities associated with offshore wind energy development. The itinerary includes tours in Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Hamburg, Bremen and Bremerhaven.

Tour Participants:

• Rick Sullivan, Environmental and Energy Affairs Secretary, State of Massachusetts
• Sean Navin, Secretary for Legislative Affairs, State of Massachusetts
• Jamil Khan, Program Manager, NYC Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability
• Ed Good, Legislative Director, Utility Workers Union of America
• Fred Redmond, Vice President, United Steelworkers
• Jeff Johnson, President, Washington State Labor Council
• Gordon Johnson, Deputy Speaker, New Jersey General Assembly
• Michael Williams, Director of Policy and Legislation, BlueGreen Alliance
• Catherine Bowes, Senior Manager, Climate and Energy, National Wildlife Federation
• Rebecca Bertram, Program Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation