The State of Maine and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have reached an agreement on a research lease in the Gulf of Maine for a floating wind research array.
The agreement follows BOEM offering a research lease to the state earlier this year.
The research lease site, an area of up to 15 square miles in Federal waters nearly 30 miles south-east of Portland, will host the nation’s first floating offshore wind research array.
The site, which will include up to 12 floating turbines, will inform how floating offshore wind operates and can co-exist with ocean users and ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine.
As proposed, the research array will use floating offshore wind platform technology designed by the University of Maine and deployed by its development partner, Diamond Offshore Wind.
UMaine’s floating platform, known as VolturnUS, was recently awarded a $12.5m grant from the US Department of Energy for its innovative design.
The execution of the research lease reflects a priority of the Maine Offshore Wind Roadmap, a stakeholder-driven comprehensive plan that offers detailed strategies for Maine to realise economic, energy and climate benefits from offshore wind, in conjunction with communities, fisheries and wildlife of the Gulf of Maine.
“Clean energy from offshore wind offers an historic opportunity for Maine to create good-paying jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and fight climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Janet Mills.
“This lease between the state and BOEM to support the nation’s first research array devoted to floating offshore wind technology is the result of extensive engagement with stakeholders and communities across our state to establish Maine as a leader in responsible offshore wind, in balance with our state’s marine economy and environment.”