Category Archives: Offshore

David Boggs, Energy Maritime Associates Pte Ltd.

As operators keep close watch on costs and spending, offshore activity levels are expected to increase at a measured pace. The floating production sector is clearly the brightest spot in the offshore industry today.

The market outlook continues to strengthen, making this the fourth year in a row that more than 50% of respondents expressed positive sentiment (somewhat confident to highly confident), according to EMAs annual Global Floating Production Industry Survey. The results show an increasing bifurcation, with the percentage of respondents who are highly confident rising from 23% last year to 31% this year. At the same time, the number of very pessimistic respondents doubled from 1% to 2%. The number of respondents expressing somewhat pessimistic outlooks dropped slightly from 6% to 4%, as did those with somewhat optimistic outlooks (from 56% to 48%). Interestingly, the proportion of those in the middle with a neutral outlook remained almost unchanged. This suggests that the lions share of work is going to only a select number of companies, with most companies fairly busy and a few that are truly struggling.

A few key quotes are highlighted below.

We are seeing an uptick in orders currently awarded and expected and are maxing our capacity.

Among the bullish respondents expressing high confidence, many pointed to the activity in Brazil and the changes that have taken place. There are now a range of operators with new floating production developments including Shell, Equinor, Enauta, Karoon, and BWO, as well as Petrobras.

We are well positioned in Brazil and this will be the big market in 2020.

Brazilian offshore is increasing a lot, now lead not only by Petrobras, but also by other major operators.

Now that the FPS industry has turned the corner, we asked how the industry will change during this upswing. Now that the leading contractors are in high demand, the top response by far was closer collaboration between oil company and contractor. This has already been seen in the long-term agreement between ExxonMobil and SBM Offshore announced in September 2019.

Another sign of increasing supplier power is the expectation for more balanced contracts, which moved up from sixth place last year to the second position. With growing demand, 16% of respondents believe that new entrants will try to enter the floating production market. To cope with lack of available lease contractors, another 15% thought that there would be a shift in contracting strategy to more EPC contracts. Only 10% expected that the increased activity levels would lead to additional cost and schedule delays.

Costs typically escalate during period of high activity. This year we asked our respondents how much cost inflation they expected in the coming year. Respondents did not believe costs would increase dramatically in 2020, as it is only the beginning of the upcycle.

The largest proportion, more than 40%, felt that there would only be 5-10% growth in costs. Another 35% expected less than 5%, while 8% did not think there would be any cost inflation. Only 16% believed there would be cost inflation of 10% or more.

For the sixth year in a row, the price of oil was identified as the greatest obstacle to offshore project growth. Most respondents are concerned with the volatility in oil prices rather than the overall level.

The other top concerns remain unchanged from last year with access to finance rose in second, closely followed by political issues and more attractive investment opportunities. In addition to challenges from onshore/unconventional oil, there is a growing push for investment in renewable energy as opposed to hydrocarbons. In-line with this trend, concern over environmental regulations moved up to fifth place from sixth.

For the first time, industry capacity was included as a concern. It ranked at the same level as environmental regulations and technical challenges, with 8% of responses.

The major FPSO suppliers are becoming busy and this may result in a slowdown in new projects.

Limited available talent resources: people.

Costs remain low on the list of concerns with FPS, drilling and subsea costs in the last positions this year.

(Source: Energy Maritime Associates Global Floating Production Industry Survey)

After three years of no major capacity constraints, respondents expressed concerns in five areas: fabrication yards, offshore installation, project management, FEED engineering, and shipyards. This new ranking reflects the growing recovery as the backlog increases and companies that downsized struggle to meet this new demand.

Fabrication yards moved up from fourth position last year as orders resume at experienced yards, all of which had downsized. Similarly, offshore installation was in sixth position last year and moved up as activity has restarted. There was also concern over the lack of experienced personnel, as many have left the sector during the downturn.

Constraints in drilling and subsea remained low, reflecting substantial availability in 2020-2021. These two industries have undergone significant consolidation and although activity has picked up, there is still plenty of uncommitted capacity in the near term.

(Source: Energy Maritime Associates Global Floating Production Industry Survey)

Brazil and West Africa ranked the top two growth regions again this year, as they have been since the beginning of the FPS Market Sentiments Survey. Brazil improved its standing as Petrobras has continued ordering FPSOs and other operators are progressing new developments.

The ranking of the top seven regions remain unchanged from last year. The Mexican side of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) remains in third place, closely followed by South America (ex-Brazil), driven by the opportunities in Guyana. Respondents remain optimistic about the US side of the GoM as well, buoyed by greenfield and brownfield deepwater developments.

FPSOs remained the clear leader as the floating production system with the most promising growth potential, according to almost one-third of respondents. FLNGs remained in second position with 21%. The outlook for production semis increased for the second year in a row and now is tied for third place alongside FSRUs. The continued interest in semis has been driven by new developments and discoveries in the GoM, Australia, and China. There was no major change for the other unit types.

The sentiment for the global FPS industry has continued to improve since 4Q 2016. However, there has been an increasing divide between the haves and have nots, with some companies struggling to manage record backlogs and others struggling to survive. Offshore development costs remain low, fueled by excess drilling and subsea capacity. However, offshore project sanctions continue to be delayed as operators cherry-pick the best opportunities in their global portfolios.

The seventh annual Global Floating Production Industry Survey, by EMA, gauges the current market sentiment as well as where the industry is heading in the future. Respondents come from a mix of oil companies, engineering firms, financial institutions, equipment providers, construction yards, and asset owners/operators. Respondents also come from a wide range of functions, including strategy/planning, sales/business development, engineering/technical, project management, and commercial/finance.

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Floating production market outlook continues to improve - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

HOUSTON, Jan. 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAEX, OTCQB: SXPLW) today announced two new projects in offshore West Africa. The projects are valued at approximately $42 million in the aggregate and are scheduled to occur primarily during the 2nd quarter of 2020 and last approximately 71 days. Services to be provided will include 3D/4D data acquisition utilizing autonomous ROV-deployed nodal recording technology in water depths up to 1,700 meters.

In addition, as previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2020, SAE recently sold certain Alaska North Slope seismic library datasets to a third party and has used $14.5 million of the net proceeds of the sale to reduce indebtedness under its credit facility.

Michael Faust, Chairman, President and CEO of SAE, commented, We are very pleased to be awarded these projects, which is further evidence of our customers confidence in our ability to deliver high quality datasets in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. A high priority for us is to improve our balance sheet. The sale of non-core assets to reduce debt has been an important tool to deliver on that priority.

About SAExploration Holdings, Inc.

SAE is an international oilfield services company offering a full range of vertically-integrated seismic data acquisition, data processing and interpretation, and logistical support services throughout North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. In addition to the acquisition of 2D, 3D, time-lapse 4D and multi-component seismic data on land, in transition zones and offshore in depths reaching 3,000 meters, SAE offers a full suite of data processing and interpretation services utilizing its proprietary, patent-protected software, and also provides in-house logistical support services, such as program design, planning and permitting, camp services and infrastructure, surveying, drilling, environmental assessment and reclamation, and community relations. SAE operates crews around the world, performing major projects for its blue-chip customer base, which includes major integrated oil companies, national oil companies and large independent oil and gas exploration companies. With its global headquarters in Houston, Texas, SAE supports its operations through a multi-national presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Malaysia, and Singapore. For more information, please visit SAEs website at http://www.saexploration.com.

The information in SAEs website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated in filings SAE makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable U.S. federal securities laws. The words may, possible, estimates, expects, believes and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the possible impact of the matters summarized in this press release, may or may not be realized, and differences between estimated results and those actually realized may be material.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks relating to known and unknown uncertainties, including:

Each of these risks, and the known and unknown consequences of these risks, could have a material negative impact on SAE, its business and prospects. As of the date of this press release, SAE cannot make any assurances regarding the impact or outcome of these risks. Forward-looking statements reflect the views of SAE as of the date hereof. SAE does not undertake to revise these statements to reflect subsequent developments, other than in compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and SAEs determination that any such revised disclosure is necessary or advisable to do.

Contact

SAExploration Holdings, Inc.Michael FaustChief Executive Officer and President(281) 258-4400mfaust@saexploration.com

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SAExploration Announces $42 Million of New Projects in Offshore West Africa, and Reduction in Debt of $14.5 Million - Yahoo Finance

European utility giants EDP and Engie have finalized their 50-50 offshore wind collaboration amid a race for scale in the global offshore wind market.

The pair revealedthe planin May last year after agreeing on a memorandum of understanding. EDP Renewables' and Engie's existing offshore wind projects, in various stages of construction and development, will be folded into the new entity. The aim is for the new company to be a top-five developer of offshore wind globally.

The deal remains subject to regulatory approval by the European Commission but is expected to close during the first quarter of 2020.

The as-yet-unnamed JV will have 1.5 gigawatts under construction including the 950-megawatt Moray East project in the U.K. and the 487-megawatt SeaMade venture in Belgium. The combined development portfolio is 3.7 gigawatts, of which around half is located in Europe and half in the U.S.

Engie andEDPR are not corporate minnows in their own right. That they feel they need to reach for even more scale says a lot about existing and future entrants in the offshore wind sector.

According to its Q3 results, industry leader rsted has 9.9 gigawatts of offshore wind installed or with the final investment decision in place.

Equinor and Shell have already made a splash, and BP and Total are likely to follow. Shell and EDPR are partners in the Mayflower consortium that won804 megawattsof offshore wind capacity in Massachusetts.

In first announcing the JV back in May 2019, Engie and EDPR said joining forces would allow them to "grow their asset base more rapidly and to operate more efficiently.

A spokesperson for EDPR told GTM more details on the joint venture would be released at the end of Q1.

It is not currently known if there is a financial component to the deal to level out the portfolio at 50-50. There are no details on any potential job losses as a result of the merging of capabilities.

EDPR has being selling down its stake in the 950-megawatt Moray East project, with Engie taking a 23.3 percent stake before adding another 10 percent. China Three Gorges has another 10 percent, and Mitsubishi holds a 33.4 percent stake. Moray East won a contract for difference in 2017 at a strike price of57.50($75.30) per megawatt-hour.

The announcement of the new joint venture also made the point of stating that the deal included both fixed bottom and floating offshore wind.

The pair represent a 79.4 percent holding in the Windplus consortium together with Spanish oil firm Repsol and minority partner Principle Power. Earlier this year they connected theworlds largest floating turbineto the Portuguese grid.

EDPR, WindPower Korea and oil engineering firm Aker plan to use Principle Powers WindFloat technology to build a 500-megawatt floating project in South Korea. The KFWind consortium plans to use shipyards in Ulsan to deliver the potential project. South Korea is aiming for 13 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. EDPRs stake in the consortium is included in the agreement with Engie.

Floating offshore wind unlocks huge swathes of potential seabed where deeper waters or soil conditions rule out fixed foundations.

Equinor has approved an88-megawatt floating projectto power two of its drilling platforms. Shell acquired the offshore wind developerEolfilast year.

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EDPR and Engie Join Forces With Aim to Rank Among Top 5 Offshore Wind Developers - Greentech Media News

Acoustic sensors on buoys and an undersea drone will be used to map out the movements of endangered northern right whales, marine mammals and fish around offshore wind energy sites, in a joint project with wind developer rsted and marine science institutions.

rstedon Wednesday announced the Ecosystem and Passive Acoustic Monitoring project is launching in cooperation with Rutgers University, the University of Rhode Island and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, in addition to the companys 2019 agreement to support Rutgers research related to wind energy development.

Rutgers will supply a Slocum electric glider, an undersea probe that can operate autonomously for weeks at a time, periodically surfacing to transmit its data back via satellite link. Now widely used in oceanography, the glider technology will be a first for rsted, one of the pioneer companies in European offshore wind.

Gliders generate forward motion using battery-powered ballast water pumps and lift from their wings. AUVAC image.

Findings from the study will be used to better protect the North Atlantic right whale during survey, construction and operation phases of their U.S. offshore wind farm portfolio, the company said in a statement. The ECO-PAM project will ensure the company can act to solve the global climate crisis, while preserving local ecosystems.

With only about 450 animals now surviving, northern right whales can be harmed in ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement, and NOAA is intently focused on protection. The risks were underlined this month when one of four newborn whale calves was struck and gravely injured by a vessel off Georgia.

The whales migrate past offshore energy sites leased by rstedand other developers, and the potential for them to be affected by construction and operation of turbine arrays is a concern for wind power advocates and critics alike.

The whales are already a consideration for designers and shipbuilders working on the first generation of crew transfer vessels for servicing turbines. NOAA rules for dynamic management areas shifting speed limit zones that track the whale movements limit vessels over 65 feet to 10 knots or less.

The main goal of the study is to understand the whales habitat, their numbers, distribution and seasonal movements within rsteds lease areas, from southern New England down to New Jersey and off the Delmarva coast.

Oceanographic data from the project could help with weather forecasting and severe storm prediction, the company says.

During the three-year project, two acoustic buoys deployed by WHOI and one from URI will collect data, with the institutions advancing localizing and detection methods.

The technology exists now to acoustically detect and track marine mammals such as the North Atlantic right whale with fixed and mobile systems and this project will demonstrate this technology, said James H. Miller, Professor of Ocean Engineering and Oceanography, University of Rhode Island.

Gliders can carry instrument packages and sensors in an internal bay or externally. Kirk Moore photo.

The Rutgers glider will operate for long missions in and around rsted lease areas off New Jersey. Along with supplying data for the whales study, the environmental variables collected on these glider missions will be fed directly into national data systems that provide vital ocean information for improving the prediction of marine-driven weather, such as coastal storms, said Joseph F. Brodie, director of atmospheric research at the Rutgers University Center for Ocean Observing Leadership.

The glider and buoys will carry acoustic receivers, and the signals will be shared with existing networks including the Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System. The system regularly tracks acoustic tags, or pingers, that ocean scientists use to monitor fish moving through the region.

Some of those movements include commercial fishing species, so the acoustic study could further that understanding, according to rsted. The company has a working relationship with the fishing advocacy coalition Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, agreeing to work cooperatively on research of mutual interest.

Our project will help to minimize the impact of wind farm construction and operation on whales so that both we and the whales can reap the long-term benefits of clean energy, said Mark Baumgartner, a senior scientist at Woods Hole.

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Acoustic survey to study right whales, fish around offshore wind projects - National Fisherman

A bathymetric and geophysical site survey is scheduled to commence at Star of the South, Australias first offshore wind project, at the end of February.

According to the projects latest Notice to Mariners, the MV Silver Star survey vessel will carry out the work from 28 February to 13 March at the site offshore Gippsland to inform the projects feasibility.

Survey activities will comprise geophysical data acquisition using a side-scan sonar, single and multi-beam echo-sounders, sub-bottom profiler, magnetometer/gradiometer and underwater video.

Operations will be conducted on a 24-hour basis and will be undertaken out of Lakes Entrance Port.

Star of the South is also preparing for a passive acoustic monitoring program for vocalizing marine mammals, which will involve the placement of underwater acoustic recorders on the seabed.

The loggers will be deployed from 10 to 11 February, with maintenance scheduled from 8 to 11 July.

Eight subsea passive acoustic monitoring recorders, and their associated moorings, will sit on the seabed until the recovery planned in mid-December.

Survey activities will include placing a tracking grid of acoustic instruments with hydrophones and the use of a once a day ping sequence from an acoustic release in the triangle center.

Star of the Southcould comprise up to 250 turbines with a combined capacity of up to 2GW. If given the go-ahead, construction could start in 2020.

The project is a joint development by AustraliasOffshore Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

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Star of the South Subsea Surveys to Begin in February - Offshore WIND

Renewable energy statistics just keep topping each other. Solar power is getting cheaper. Battery storage capacity is getting better. And wind farms are getting bigger.

2019 saw the worlds biggest (at the time) offshore wind farm come online, as well as construction of the biggest offshore wind farm in the US off the coast of Atlantic City.

But a new figure blows all of these out of the water. Last week, British renewable energy developer SSE announced construction of Dogger Bank Wind Farm off the eastern coast of England in the North Sea.

With a capacity of 3.6 gigawatts (GW), Dogger Bank will be three times bigger than the worlds biggest existing wind farm, the nearby 1.2 GW Hornsea One.

Located near a seaside town called Ulrome, which is 195 miles north of London, Dogger Bank will have three separate sitesCreyke Beck A, Creyke Beck B, and Teesside Aeach with a 1.2 GW capacity, and construction is slated to take two years.

The project is a collaboration between SSE and Equinor, a Norwegian energy company.

Hornsea One, which is still under construction and estimated to be done later this year, will power up to a million homes. That seems small in comparison to the figure SSE has estimated for Dogger Bank: its three sites together will allegedly be able to power up to 4.5 million homes.

Its important to note that 4.5 million U.K. homes is equivalent to far fewer homes in the US, as we Americans use embarrassingly more energy than the British; our annual average electricity consumption per household in 2018 was 10,972 kWhalmost triple the U.K.s 2017 household average of 3,760 kWh. Makes you wonder if we couldnt scale back on our giant appliances, around-the-clock air conditioning, and ever-ready hot water.

Besides being the biggest wind farm in the world (unless an even bigger one is announced before its done? At the rate these things are popping up, that wouldnt be surprising), Dogger Bank will also be one of the first to use the worlds biggest turbine. GE Renewable Energys Haliade-X was tested in the Port of Rotterdam last summer; its 260 meters (853 feet) tall (almost the same height as the GE building in Rockefeller Center) and its blades are 107 meters long (351 feet, just a tad shorter than an American football field).

Once those blades are twirling in the North Seas winds (and twirl they willwind speeds in this area average 16-22 miles per hour; the top 3 windiest cities in the US seem breezy in comparison with speeds from 13.1-13.9 mph), each Haliade-X will be able to produce 12 megawatts of power.

Offshore wind has taken off over the past few years, and will continue to grow as the technology it requires becomes steadily better, cheaper, and more efficient. The new turbines being built now already generate three times as much energy as turbines from just five years ago; thats an impressive pace, and means the expense of building wind farms are much more worth companies while.

Theyre worth our while, too. Given the ecological and climate disasters increasingly filling our news feeds, its safe to say we cant increase our renewable energy development fast enough.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of GE Renewable Energy

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World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm Will Power 4.5 Million Homes - Singularity Hub

In November 2019, New Zealand passed a law that committed the country to carbon neutrality by 2050. In January, 2020, it passed a law banning new permits for offshore oil and gas drilling. This move will help the country meet its goal of carbon neutrality.

The law applies to new permits in the area. New Zealand has numerous existing permits, some of which expire in 2030. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said of the new law, Were striking the right balance for New Zealand were protecting existing industry, and protecting future generations from climate change. Greenpeace New Zealand also praised the law calling it a huge win for our climate and people power. 50,000 people signed a Greenpeace petition calling for the ban.

Offshore drilling is dangerous to plants and animals in the ocean, along with being a source of greenhouse gas emissions. Kevin Hague, Chief Executive of Forest & Bird Conservation Group, said in a statement, Half the worlds whale and dolphin species visit or live in New Zealand waters, from the critically endangered Mauis dolphin to giant blue whales Today, these sensitive creatures are made safer from the threat of oil spills and the sonic barrage of seismic testing. Keeping New Zealands oil and gas in the ground reduces everyones risk, and tells the world were serious about reducing our contribution to climate change.

You can sign this petition to end offshore drilling in the United States.

Read more about oil drilling and offshore oil drilling in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

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New Zealand Bans Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling - One Green Planet

The United States will likely spend more money developing offshore wind capacity than offshore oil and gas within the next five years, according to a new study.

Installed offshore wind capacity off the coast of the United States could reach 20 gigawatts by 2030, generating annual investments of $15 billion in another five years, according to Rystad Energy,the Norwegian based energy research firm.Onegigawattprovides enoughpowerfor about 700,000 homes.

Annual spending on U.S. offshore oil and gas projects is expected to average $14.8 billion between now and 2025, according to Rystad.

RELATED:Next year will be tipping point for wind in Texas

Six gigawatts of offshore wind projects in U.S. waters are already slated for development and are expected to cost more than $20 billion over the next five years. By the middle of the decade -- if regulators continue to give the green light to offshore wind projects -- annual investment is expected to top $15 billion, according to Rystad.

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Wind power could be dominant offshore energy focus within 5 years - Houston Chronicle

Boardwalk Tram Ad Content Concerns Reviewed

OCEAN CITY Resort officials this week to send out a request for proposal (RFP) for municipal bus and Boardwalk tram advertising, but there appears to be a reluctance to consider the latter.Last week, the Transportation Committee forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Council to send out an RFP outlining the terms of Read more

OCEAN CITY The summer fireworks schedule and potential big-name concerts were part of a larger package of enhanced special events approved this week at City Hall.During Tuesdays meeting, Bob Rothermel of TEAM Productions presented a line-up of special event enhancements for the summer of 2020 including fireworks at the beach downtown and at Northside Read more

SNOW HILL While there are some opportunities ahead, a consultant advised officials this week that bringing high speed internet to rural portions of Worcester County could be a decade-long effort.Joanne Hovis, president of CTC Technology & Energy, presented the results of a six-month broadband feasibility study to the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday.We recommend Read more

OCEAN CITY Motorists accessing Ocean City via the Route 50 Bridge can expect headaches for the next month seven days a week as the State Highway Administration (SHA) embarks on the next phase of rehabilitation of the Harry Kelley Bridge.SHA crews on Thursday morning began shifting traffic lanes on the bridge in order to Read more

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01/20/2020 | Hundreds Attend Offshore Wind Hearing In Ocean City | News Ocean City - The Dispatch

Most New England states have been investing in alternative energy sources for years. But New Hampshire has been slower to act in response to climate change.

Now, the Granite State is looking to be a leader in a major new source of renewable energy: offshore wind.

Listen to the broadcast version of this story.

Turnout exceeded all expectations at the first meeting, last month, of a federal task force on wind development in the Gulf of Maine. One state legislator was heard saying the line to get in rivaled the line for the women's bathroom at Fenway Park.

Governor Chris Sununu welcomed hundreds of people who filled up a huge meeting hall and overflow rooms at UNH.

"Good morning, he said, to a mild response, then: Come on! Look what we're kicking off, this is exciting!"

When it comes to energy reform, Sununu has always focused on minimizing costs to consumers. At the task force meeting, he had a message: the way to get there is with huge amounts of power from high-tech wind turbines floating in the ocean.

"We're not talking about benchtop models, we're not talking about theory, we're not writing papers we want to build something here, he said. Right? We want those electrons to be zipped over back into New England in one way or the other, and we want people to benefit from it."

This big meeting came just under a year after Sununu asked the Trump administration to open up the possibility of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine.

They formed this task force with stakeholders in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, to see how wind would work with fisheries, transmission systems, aesthetics and more.

New Hampshire business commissioner Taylor Caswell, whos on the task force, says offshore wind would be a game-changer for business in the state and for displacing the greenhouse gas-emitting fuels that cause climate change. "Part of the complexity of the policy issue has been the sheer size of what we need to be able to accomplish to displace fossil fuels...if, in fact, that's the direction we're going, which I do think it is, Caswell says.

And here we have an opportunity to start talking about renewable energy in gigawatts, he says, as opposed to five megawatts here and four megawatts there."

For scale just a dozen or so of these wind turbines can produce as much electricity as a nuclear power plant.

Short-term shortfalls

But these wind farms are probably 10 years off from reality. Climate activists like Griffin Sinclair-Wingate of 350 New Hampshire say there are lots of other steps the Sununu administration could take now, like supporting solar, hydropower or energy efficiency.

Instead, Sinclair-Wingate says, Sununu has vetoed countless numbers of bills that would have a tremendous impact in developing renewable energy in the state."

Those include expansions of net energy metering that would let towns and businesses save more on their energy costs by building more solar and hydropower.

This legislative session, Sununu has proposed an alternate plan to ones hes blocked in the past but advocates say it wouldnt have enough of an impact.

Sununu often cites economics in opposing state incentives for smaller-scale technologies like solar. But advocates argue that these sectors have major untapped potential to lower costs for consumers and create jobs.

Still, a growing wind industry does provide some unique opportunities like on New Hampshire's Seacoast, which many say could be perfectly positioned as a hub for wind construction offshore.

A source of hope

Key to that vision is the Port of New Hampshire on the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth. It's got deep water, a ready workforce and easy access to highways the wind industry wouldn't have to build a whole new facility here, advocates say, at least not to meet some of its many needs.

State port authority director Geno Marconi says Portsmouth has had a taste of what wind business could be like. Last summer, huge components for land-based turbines were shipped in to this port before they were trucked out to Antrim.

"All that open area where we walked through, we had a lot of the tower sections and everything staged out there, he says, pointing to large, flat sections of the dock between piles of road salt.

These onshore turbines were far smaller than the ones officials hope to install offshore and still, Marconi says, the project took a year to plan.

Michael Behrmann, the business development director for Clean Energy New Hampshire and one of the state's top wind evangelists, has spent a lot of time at the port imagining the future. He even took state and industry leaders to see wind farms in Denmark in 2018.

"We're looking at, by 2040, a trillion-dollar global industry, Behrmann says, citing a recent report from the International Energy Agency. If we could even grab a small part of that for New Hampshire, it would be transformative for our economy."

Behrmann says he's dedicated his career to tackling climate change, and that wind is the best option New England has ever had to make a difference.

"For me, and for a lot of people, the reality of being able to tap into such a large energy resource gives us hope that we can achieve the changes in our energy generation resources that we really need and need to do in a very quick timeframe, he says.

Until that happens, he hopes the state's enthusiasm for wind will spread to the rest of its climate change response, too.

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After Years Of Slow Action On Climate Change, What Sets Offshore Wind Apart For N.H.? - New Hampshire Public Radio