Wind Energy in the Southeast: A Path Forward Under a New Administration

As the United States prepares for the transition to a new Presidential administration, our commitment to building an economically resilient Southeast through wind energy development remains stronger than ever. The progress we’ve made in advancing onshore and offshore wind projects — driven by bipartisan support, economic opportunity, and energy resilience — is here to stay. 

Since 2012, the Southeastern Wind Coalition has worked on nonpartisan solutions to advance the wind energy industry across our region. Every day, we see proof that 72 percent of Americans support building more wind farms, including a majority of Republicans. Across the Southeast, communities, lawmakers, and business leaders understand that wind energy is vital to meeting rapidly growing energy demand and securing our national energy independence. 

The Outlook for Wind in the Southeast

Wind projects take years to develop. Offshore wind especially has long lead times. While the incoming Trump-Vance administration has expressed support for fossil fuels and may seek to roll back certain climate policies, state-led and private-sector wind energy initiatives will continue to advance. Offshore wind projects in the Southeast that have already completed key permitting stages - such as the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) and Kitty Hawk South projects - are set to continue to move forward. Projects like RWE's offshore wind area in the Gulf of Mexico, which are currently in the early planning stages, are also progressing with a long-term outlook. 

State-level actions and local support will remain crucial for continued progress. In early November, the North Carolina Utilities Commission issued an order directing Duke Energy to administer an offshore wind Acquisition Request for Information (ARFI) in early 2025, in addition to procuring 1,200 MWs of onshore wind by 2033. Development of wind farms in Mississippi and Arkansas will continue with a renewed focus on local economic growth and community engagement. In Louisiana, projects proposed in state waters are not subject to federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approvals and can proceed under the Department of Defense’s Army Corps of Engineers permitting process, providing a buffer from any potential federal roadblocks. 

“Wind energy development is vital to meeting rapidly growing energy demand and securing our national energy independence. ”

Momentum in Offshore Wind Supply Chain Development

The Southeast is becoming a critical hub for the U.S. wind energy supply chain, and this momentum is expected to continue regardless of changes in Washington. Major projects are already underway across the region: 

• LS GreenLink has committed $681 million for a new subsea cable facility in Hampton Roads, Virginia, bringing at least 300 permanent jobs to the region.

• Nucor Steel in Kentucky has invested $1.7 billion to build a steel plant capable of producing the only U.S. steel thick enough to supply offshore monopile foundations. 

• Nexans in Charleston, South Carolina, operates the first U.S. facility capable of producing high-voltage subsea cables specifically for offshore wind, employing 150 skilled workers.

• Gulf Wind Technology in Louisiana, supported by a $10 million investment from Shell, is advancing wind turbine innovation and creating dozens of high-quality jobs in research, engineering, and workforce training.

The Southeast is also home to the production of groundbreaking offshore wind support vessels, such as the Eco Edison in Louisiana and Charybdis in Texas, which create hundreds of jobs and drive new growth in American shipbuilding. 

“At a time when families are dealing with high costs, the clean energy economy is providing economic stability and opportunity.”

The South Leads the Clean Energy Economy 

These investments not only create jobs but also solidify the Southeast’s role in a robust wind energy supply chain, reducing reliance on overseas imports and boosting local economies. Indeed, no region has benefited more from the booming clean energy economy than the South. Since 2022, Southern states have added more than 54,000 clean energy jobs, 36% of all new jobs nationwide. Overall, the region now accounts for more than 1 million jobs across the renewable energy, EV, energy efficiency, battery storage, grid modernization, and biofuel sectors—more than any other region of the country. Wind turbine service technician is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S., with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 60% growth between 2023 and 2033. At a time when families are dealing with high costs, the clean energy economy is providing economic stability and opportunity.

The future of wind energy in the Southeast is bright and resilient. Through continued bipartisan collaboration and commitment, we can ensure that the industry continues to deliver jobs, investments, and environmental benefits to communities across the region for decades to come.