The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced today it is delaying the offshore wind energy auction planned for potential lease areas offshore Oregon due to insufficient bidder interest.
On 29 August, the Department of the Interior announced the Final Sale Notice (FSN) for offshore wind leasing on the outer continental shelf off the coast of Oregon following engagement through the Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, including coordination with the State of Oregon on advancing opportunities for leasing that would precede a multi-year process for site assessments and subsequent review of any specific project plans if submitted.
The FSN set an auction date for 15 October, and included two lease areas offshore Oregon (pictured) and identified the five companies qualified to participate in the sale.
Following issuance of the FSN, BOEM received bidding interest from one of the five qualified companies.
“In determining a future opportunity for a potential lease sale, BOEM will continue to collaborate with representatives from federal, state and local agencies and Tribal governments, to coordinate on potential leasing and support ongoing stakeholder engagement processes on broader offshore wind considerations, such as the state-led development of a strategic roadmap for offshore wind,” said the bureau.
“Oceantic Network supports BOEM’s decision today to advance offshore wind energy responsibly in Oregon,” said vice president of strategic communication at Oceantic Network Sam Salustro.
“The West Coast is an emerging market that will require new technologies. Regional supply chain coordination is key to a successful rollout of offshore wind energy, and we are seeing the region advance: California has set new offtake goals and allocated funding for ports and transmission, and with Gov. Inslee’s support, Washington State Maritime Blue formed the Blue Wind Supply Chain Collaborative to promote local manufacturing for offshore wind components.
“Oceantic is confident that Oregon will soon join other states in the development of offshore wind projects as conversations continue and supply chain opportunities materialise.”
The Blue Green Alliance, an advocacy group formed by the United Steelworkers trade union and the environmentalist Sierra Club, also supported the move.
While the group said it supported offshore wind in Oregon, “building large renewable energy infrastructure takes time and Oregon owes it to its communities and coastal ecosystem to do it the right way”, said Oregon Senior State Policy Manager Ranfis Villatoro.
“We look forward to working with other stakeholders-including Tribes such as the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians-on the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, while additionally supporting regional conversations on workforce and supply chain opportunities to advance union jobs and support economic development in Oregon”.