The City of Virginia Beach, an emerging major hub for the fast-growing US offshore wind sector, has joined EEEGR. Their membership will allow the city to work more closely with EEEGR members entering the US market. The nation's two largest offshore wind projects are planned to be built off the Virginia Beach coast between 2024 - 2028. 

"America has huge and ambitious growth plans for offshore wind over the next decade," says Simon Gray, EEEGR's Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs. "These represent fantastic opportunities for our members. Our relationship with Virginia Beach gives them a ready-to-roll model for getting involved in this exciting market". 

President Biden's plans target 30GW (Gigawatts) of offshore wind by 2030, just short of the current global total of 34GW. However the USA currently only has seven pilot turbines in operation, two off Virginia Beach.  

"We have a lot of work to do," says Taylor Adams, Deputy City Manager for Virginia Beach, "but I am confident that with help from experienced UK companies, not least the EEEGR membership, and together with other international partners, the US can build a successful offshore wind industry. With the maritime industry’s expertise and skills in our region, Virginia Beach is positioned to effectively support the industry.”  Virginia Beach's new membership follows the signing in December of a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.   

Interested companies should contact Charles Macdowell, who represents Virginia Beach in the UK, via cmacdowe@vbgov.com.