The US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to hold an auction on 11 May for two lease areas offshore the Carolinas that could host 1300MW.
The lease areas cover 44,552 hectares in the Carolina Long Bay area.
Developers will be able to bid on one or both of the lease areas within the Wilmington East wind energy area, as described in BOEM’s Final Sale Notice available today in the Federal Register Reading Room.
The two lease areas are of a similar size, distance to shore, and wind resource potential.
The FSN includes several lease stipulations designed to promote the development of a robust domestic US supply chain, advance flexibility in transmission planning, and encourage project labour agreements.
BOEM will offer a 20% credit to bidders if they commit to invest in programs that will advance US offshore wind energy workforce training or supply chain development.
The lessees will also be required to identify Tribal Nations, underserved communities, agencies, ocean users and other interested stakeholders, and report on their communication and engagement activities with these parties.
These stipulations are intended to promote offshore wind energy development in a way that coexists with other ocean uses and protects the ocean environment, while also facilitating our nation’s energy future for generations to come.
The announcement is part of President Joe Biden’s agenda to grow a clean energy economy that harnesses offshore wind projects to strengthen US energy independence, create good-paying jobs, and lower energy bills for consumers.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said: “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting a robust clean energy economy, and the upcoming Carolina Long Bay offshore wind energy auction provides yet another excellent opportunity to strengthen the clean energy industry while creating good-paying union jobs.
“This is an historic time for domestic offshore wind energy development. We will continue using every tool in our toolbox to tackle the climate crisis, reduce our emissions to reach the President’s bold goals, and advance environmental justice.”
BOEM Director Amanda Lefton said: “BOEM is focused on ensuring that any development offshore North Carolina is done responsibly, in a way that avoids or minimizes potential impacts to the ocean and ocean users in the region.
“The milestones announced today mark significant progress in achieving this Administration’s goal for deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, while creating jobs and strengthening a sustainable domestic supply chain.”
In November 2021, BOEM published a Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) and requested public comments on the proposed leasing of nearly 51,799 hectares in the Wilmington East WEA.
Based on the bureau’s review of scientific data and extensive input from the commercial fishing industry, Tribes, partnering agencies, key stakeholders, and the public, BOEM reduced the acreage available for leasing in the FSN by 14% from the areas proposed in the PSN to avoid conflicts with ocean users and minimize environmental impacts.
BOEM said it will continue to engage with its partners and stakeholders as the process unfolds.