The US government has fired the staring gun for an offshore wind auction in the Kitty Hawk zone off North Carolina.
A proposed sale notice and request for interest in commercial development will be published by federal officials on 16 August.
Public comment on the process to auction more than 122,000 acres some 24 nautical miles from shore will run for 60 days. Details of the actual auction will be published in the final sale notice, which itself will follow the comment period.
Companies already registered as having an interest in the zone include Apex, Dominion, EDF, Fishermen’s Energy and Green Sail Energy. Others can still come forward.
The Wilmington East and West areas of North Carolina wil be auctioned at a later date alongside proximate South Carolina lots.
“This is an important and exciting milestone in our ongoing efforts to tap the vast wind energy resources along the Atlantic Coast,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.
“The proposed lease sale is the result of thoughtful collaboration at all levels to identify areas offshore North Carolina with great wind energy potential while minimizing conflicts with other important uses.”
Image: stakeholders have been closely involved in the North Carolina lease process (NOAA)
