China’s New Wind Installation Vessel Challenges US Coal

Cadeler, a Danish offshore wind specialist, recently completed construction of the Wind Ace, a new wind installation vessel built by the COSCO shipyard in Qidong, China. The vessel is designed to efficiently install larger, modern wind turbines and foundations, lowering costs and accelerating project deployment.

This development comes as offshore wind power increasingly competes with fossil fuels. Energy Solutions Intelligence found new offshore wind projects are achieving a levelized cost of energy between $40-$50 per MWh, competitive with natural gas and cheaper than new coal.

The US Department of Energy’s FORCE model predicts further cost reductions to $53/MWh by 2035 for fixed-bottom offshore wind. Simultaneously, initiatives focusing on operations and maintenance, like the UK’s HOME consortium utilizing robotics and advanced sensors, aim to cut costs further.

These advancements are occurring despite efforts by the Trump administration to hinder the US offshore wind industry through suspended lease programs and funding cuts. With global momentum building, and China leading in vessel construction, offshore wind is poised to significantly impact the energy landscape.