Deepwater Wind has unveiled plans to build the 120MW Skipjack offshore wind project about 17 nautical miles northeast of Ocean City, Maryland.
The US developer has emerged as the second bidder for state offshore renewable energy credits.
Rival US Wind has applied for a 250MW development in the federal commercial lease area off Maryland.
The Skipjack scheme could be built in a single construction season, and developed more cost-effectively and with considerably less risk than a larger project, said Deepwater. The project is expected to generate more than $100m in economic benefits for the state.
“The Skipjack wind farm is the right clean energy solution for Maryland, and we’re ready to get to work,” said Deepwater CEO Jeffrey Grybowski.
If approved, local construction work could begin as early as 2020, with the project in operation in 2022.
Both applications have been found to be administratively complete and to have met the minimum threshold criteria.
Maryland regulators will now evaluate the submissions based on legislated net benefit criteria including long-term price stability.
A decision is due by 17 May 2017.
It is not clear what site Deepwater is proposing to develop. The company said it has secured the rights to acquire a federal lease, subject to regulatory approval.
The Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 requires a qualified project to be located on the outer continental shelf between 10 and 30 miles off the coast, in an area designated for leasing by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in consultation with the state.
It is thought the Delaware federal lease area, put on hold by NRG in 2011 and originally secured by Bluewater, could qualify. US Wind holds the Maryland commercial lease rights.
Image: Block Island (Deepwater Wind)
