Virginia Beach Welcomes International Offshore Wind Delegation to the City

March 30, 2023

The City Attracts Significant Attention, Emerges as Mid-Atlantic Hub for Offshore Wind Industry

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (March 30, 2023) – The City of Virginia Beach announced today that 64 executives representing 44 organizations from seven different countries spent last weekend in Virginia Beach learning about the offshore wind industry. Virginia Beach has emerged as a Mid-Atlantic hub for the industry, investing a combined $18 billion to build two of the largest offshore wind farms in the country.

Guests of honor included Travis Voyles, secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, Chelsea Jenkins, deputy secretary of Commerce and Trade, and Wyatt Toehlke, assistant secretary of Commerce and Trade.

During the weekend, attendees learned about two impending wind projects off the coast of Virginia Beach – Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) and Kitty Hawk Offshore (KHO). Construction of the full-scale CVOW project is set to begin in late 2024, while KHO is anticipated to start in 2026. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development presented information on how their teams are working collaboratively to support offshore wind development efforts.

Correll Group, a UK-headquartered company specializing in the renewable energy sector, also participated in the event, as well as Global Business Director Geoff Briggs, who shared their company’s experience establishing a business in Virginia Beach.

“The number of offshore wind companies present at this weekend’s event is a testament to the level of interest that Virginia Beach is receiving from the offshore wind community across the U.S. and abroad,” said Taylor Adams, deputy city manager and director of Economic Development for the City of Virginia Beach. “All eyes are on these large-scale commercial wind farms that are coming to our shores. Virginia Beach is truly emerging as the Mid-Atlantic hub for offshore wind and, as companies become aware of all the opportunities in this rapidly expanding sector, the Department of Economic Development stands ready to assist them in locating to our City, help them grow and prosper.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to meet Bob Miltenberger, CEO of NearshoreNetworks, a global maritime communications solutions provider that supports wind energy industry clients worldwide. NearshoreNetworks opened an office in Virginia Beach last fall to support the company's growing customer base in the energy segment.

"When it comes to wind energy, communications is the lifeline to operational excellence, whether working near or offshore. Our team must be in proximity to their operations and thus our opening offices in Virginia Beach,” said Miltenberger. “NearshoreNetworks is known for rapid service response and solving communications issues when they arise. This new office makes sense to us and the customers we serve.”

After Virginia Beach, the delegation will attend the International Partnering Forum (IPF), the premier offshore wind energy conference in North America, hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind. The three-day event is expected to host more than 3,000 attendees who are interested in growing their business and getting the latest updates on the industry. The Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development will also be in attendance as the team continues to cultivate relationships with industry leaders and seek out potential private sector investors for the City of Virginia Beach.

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