Could wind turbines line the South Carolina coastline?

Less than 1% of U.S. electricity is generated by wind energy but that is forecasted to increase. A recent study by the American Wind Energy Association does not list South Carolina in the top 20 states for wind energy potential. However, Santee Cooper is studying a corridor off the South Carolina coastline that they believe could provide at least part of the answer to finding renewable energies.

“From the estimates we have seen the offshore areas of South Carolina hold a significant amount of wind power potential,” said Eric Boessneck, an associate engineer with Santee Cooper’s renewable energy department.

Santee Cooper is focusing on a section of offshore waters off the coast of Georgetown and Horry counties. “That area is a couple of miles offshore starting at about 3 miles from the Georgetown area all the way up to Myrtle Beach,” explained Boessneck.

Due to shipping lanes and a high population density near the Charleston County coastline, Boessneck doesn’t believe that turbines would ever be installed in those waters.

Right now, Santee Cooper is in the research phase when it comes to wind energy. “You have to take into account the environmental impacts you have on the fish and the birds but you also have take into account the impact on the citizens in the area,” said Boessneck.

Due to a shallow coastline, that makes the South Carolina coast inviting to wind energy development and allows turbines to be located further offshore. “The problem then comes when you try to transmit the power back. It requires underground and becomes expensive,” said Boessneck.

The first wind turbine project off the U.S. coastline was recently approved in Delaware. Delaware is in a section of the country that is prone to higher energy costs. “The cost of power in New England is a lot higher which makes wind energy more lucrative due to the high cost of developing wind energy,” explained Boessneck. With power costs lower in South Carolina it makes wind energy hard to make affordable.

The timeframe for development of wind farms off the South Carolina coastline may be sooner than you think. Boessneck said the technology is already available and wind farms could be developed as soon as 5 years from now.