A landmark study on the feasibility of offshore wind power in North Carolina’s coastal waters is turning heads. The news reinforces what we have known for some time – that the Outer Banks Ocean Energy Corporation’s (OBOE) Offshore Wind Farm will be able to tap into an excellent energy resource in our own back yard.

As noted in an August article in the Carteret County News-Times, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Wind Study, entitled “Coastal Wind: Energy for North Carolina’s Future”, painted a bright portrait of the state’s potential for offshore wind energy. One of the Study’s authors, Dr. Pete Peterson of the UNC-CH Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City, gave an overview of the Study to the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission on Aug. 27. The UNC Study, which was commissioned by the state General Assembly, focused both on the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and North Carolina’s coastal ocean region. It found a number of potential offshore wind farm sites to be suitable for energy production.

The comprehensive, 378-page UNC Study provides research on wind power estimation, environmental and biological impacts, utility transmission infrastructure and regulatory barriers. It highlights target areas for wind production and walks through several of North Carolinians’ shared concerns, such as how to alleviate potential risk to bird and fish populations and the immediate ecosystem. The report ultimately found that “North Carolina is well positioned to develop utility scale wind energy production and it is the opinion of the project team that the State should pursue it aggressively.” It also provides several recommendations for the state in order to facilitate successful offshore wind facilities.

The OBOE team is excited to see North Carolina’s academic community rally behind the idea of bringing offshore wind to our coast. We especially enjoy Dr. Peterson’s quote in the News-Times article: “As oil is associated with the coast of Alaska, wind power is North Carolina’s baby.” The offshore wind industry is poised to make great strides in North America, and North Carolina has a tremendous opportunity to take the lead and provide clean energy to our citizens.

OBOE’s independent research has pinpointed possible strategic locations for our offshore wind farm. We are pleased to see that the UNC study’s findings reinforce our conclusions about the feasibility of offshore wind power in North Carolina. Using this study, we will be able to further refine our approach, and the new information contained in the report should encourage the state to continue to support the positive transformation of our portfolio of energy resources through offshore wind power.

For more information on Outer Banks Ocean Energy Corporation, contact us at media@oboec.com.