Earlier this month, I had the privilege of joining a Louisiana delegation for the Winds of Innovation study tour, hosted by Danish Energy Export. Over the course of five days, we visited Denmark’s leading wind ports, manufacturing hubs, and research centers to better understand how a world-class offshore wind economy is built and sustained.
What stood out the most wasn’t just the scale of the infrastructure but the breadth and depth of the associated manufacturing in and around the ports. Ports like Aalborg don’t just move goods. They’re specialized hubs for turbine exports, training, and manufacturing. Every link in the supply chain, from blade fabrication to cable installation, is thoughtfully planned and deeply integrated. That kind of foresight has helped Denmark create tens of thousands of stable, family-sustaining jobs while lowering energy costs and supporting energy independence.
We also met with companies like CS Wind Offshore, Siemens Gamesa, and Liftra, where Danish innovation is driving down costs and making wind more accessible to global markets. And, at the WindEurope conference in Copenhagen, I had the chance to connect with U.S. and international leaders, all of whom echoed the same sentiment: the U.S. can – and should – scale up our own wind industry with the same urgency and intentionality.
The potential is especially strong in places like the Gulf and the Southeast Atlantic. Ports, existing manufacturing, and workforce in Louisiana are well-positioned to serve as logistical and industrial backbones for U.S. offshore wind, just like Aalborg does for Europe. But to get there, we need predictable permitting, stable policy, and long-term investments that give manufacturers the confidence to build here, hire here, and grow here.
Denmark reminded me of what’s possible. Now it’s our turn.