Two offshore wind companies have tossed their hats into the ring to develop projects on the outer continental shelf off South Carolina.
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management received two nominations in response to a call for competitive interest, BOEM spokesperson Tracey Moriarty told reNEWS.
The proponents seek to develop all or portions of the four South Carolina call areas totaling more than 1100 square miles.
“BOEM is reviewing the nominations to assess the companies’ legal, technical and financial qualifications,” said Moriarty.
The agency expects to complete its review later this month. It will then reveal the companies and lease areas they’re interested in developing.
BOEM also will work with the South Carolina Renewable Energy Task Force to assess next steps in the commercial lease auction process.
In addition, the bureau is preparing an environmental assessment for the call areas. A 60-day public comment period closed 25 January.
The agency continues to advance plans for other sites along the Atlantic seaboard. BOEM expects to hold a commercial lease auction for three sites off North Carolina later this year and planning is underway for areas off New York State.
Image: offshore wind developers are hoping to dive in off the US east coast (BOEM)
