North Charleston, SC - North Charleston’s navy base will soon become the world's first testing ground for large offshore wind turbines and the research will happen at Clemson University.

The almost $100 million project will help South Carolina lead the country in research for transforming wind energy to electricity and state lawmakers say that's only the beginning.

“The winds of change are blowing in South Carolina. Boeing announcement was huge. This could be as equally large as Boeing,” State Senator Larry Grooms said.

South Carolina beat several states out of the $45 million grant that will put South Carolina on the map.

The good news doesn't stop with the Lowcountry leading the way in wind energy research, it also means extra jobs for the Palmetto state.

“Immediately we're expecting about 150 construction jobs starting in 2010 and in 2012 with the spin off jobs about 800 jobs being created,” North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey (web | news | bio) said.

That number could grow into the thousands as research and manufacturing of the turbines continue to spin.

“The U.S. Dept of Energy is estimating that up to 20,000 jobs could be created in the Palmetto State as we become the world's leading exporter of wind turbine manufacturing,” Grooms said.

South Carolina leaders are now eager to power the country's energy development and bring back jobs blown away by the recession.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates by 2015, 20 percent of this country's power will come from wind energy. State lawmakers tell us the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary will visit South Carolina next week. 

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