Offshore Wind Could Create 186,000 US Steel Jobs by 2045

Five offshore wind projects under construction are already proving that clean energy can rebuild American manufacturing, creating tens of thousands of jobs while positioning US steel mills to meet up to 80 percent of future demand.

New research shows that offshore wind development over the next two decades could generate $42 billion in demand for American steel, supporting 186,600 jobs across mills, fabrication yards, shipyards, and supplier industries. That averages out to 9,300 well-paying jobs every year for 20 years.

The opportunity is massive. These projects will require 22 million tons of steel, enough to build 239 Golden Gate Bridges or 266 Empire State Buildings.

US steel makers are already positioning themselves to compete. Mills in Kentucky, Ohio, and Texas have invested more than $3 billion in upgrades to expand their plate steel production capacity, the exact type of steel needed for offshore wind towers, foundations, and vessels.

"This research makes clear that offshore wind is not just an energy opportunity. It is an American industrial strategy," said Liz Burdock, President and CEO of Oceantic Network, which commissioned the study.

The timing couldn't be better for communities that have watched manufacturing jobs disappear overseas. With targeted investments, US fabrication yards could meet 78 percent of demand for towers, foundations, and transition pieces, keeping billions of dollars and thousands of jobs in America.

But without expansion of domestic fabrication facilities, the US would capture less than 10 percent of this opportunity. That would strand the billions already invested in mill upgrades and force continued reliance on overseas supply chains.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond wind farms. Long-term steel demand from offshore wind helps finance capital expansion at American mills, restoring rare manufacturing capabilities that strengthen supply lines for naval vessels, hydropower plants, nuclear facilities, bridges, and other critical infrastructure.

Offshore wind development already accounts for $25 billion in US investments across 40 states. The projects currently under construction are reducing electricity costs for American households while creating career-length employment in industrial communities.

Steel mills in Kentucky and Ohio are now positioned to drive new economic activity into Gulf Coast communities, the Carolinas, and other seaboard areas hosting fabrication sites. These aren't temporary construction jobs but durable, family-sustaining careers in manufacturing.

The research, conducted by Lumen Energy & Environment, analyzed steel demand for 70 gigawatts of leased and proposed American offshore wind projects. It matched that demand to existing and planned US steel mill and fabrication infrastructure, identifying specific opportunities for suppliers and policymakers.

Turning this potential into reality requires consistent demand and industry stability, which means restoring a predictable energy permitting pathway. With the right policy support, American workers and manufacturers can lead the next chapter of the nation's energy economy while bringing manufacturing jobs back home.