The state wants contractors to analyse Virginia’s existing maritime infrastructure and assets, location and business climate, and identify market barriers to developing an offshore wind supply chain.
Governor Ralph Northam said: "Virginia should be the prime location for the offshore wind industry, from the supply chain to the full build-out of our offshore wind assets off the coast."
There is currently no wind capacity installed off the east-coast state.
It does, however, have a two-turbine, 12MW demonstration project in development in a 453-kilometre-square research zone leased by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
The zone, situated approximately 37 kilometres from the shore, could eventually have up to 2GW installed in it, the state's department of mines, minerals and energy stated.
Virginia passed legislation during its 2018 session stating it would "be in the public interest" to have 5GW of utility-scale wind and solar resources.
Responses to the RFP must be submitted by 22 June.
