The US north-east coastal state of Maine has begun its process to procure up to 3GW of offshore wind energy by 2040.
Governor Janet Mills announced that the state has begun its process, with the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) today releasing a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input to inform the State’s first commercial offshore wind solicitation for the Gulf of Maine.
The deadline for responses is 21 June 2024.
Mills made the announcement during a keynote address at the Oceantic Network’s International Partnering Forum (IPF), in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In July 2023, Governor Mills signed legislation to advance offshore wind in Maine by procuring up to 3000 megawatts of offshore wind energy in the Gulf of Maine by 2040.
“Offshore wind offers Maine the opportunity to generate clean, homegrown energy, to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, to create good-paying jobs, and to protect our environment for future generations,” said Mills.
“Today, I am proud to announce that Maine is taking the first step in our offshore wind procurement process by releasing a Request for Information – a formal call for feedback from diverse stakeholders that will inform our procurement of offshore wind to reach 100 percent clean energy,” she added.
Dan Burgess, Director of GEO, added: “Public input gathered through this RFI will shape Maine’s first offshore wind solicitation, a key milestone in the development of responsible offshore wind for the State and the region.
“Guided by the recommendations of the Maine Offshore Wind Roadmap, Maine is committed to robust stakeholder engagement to maximize the opportunity to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy to households and businesses through responsibly developed offshore wind.”
The RFI seeks public input on Maine’s commercial offshore wind solicitation approach and implementation, regional coordination, fisheries protection and engagement, ports, workforce, transmission, environmental impacts, and other topics.
Responses collected through this RFI will be used by GEO and other state agencies to evaluate solicitation designs and consider key program objectives.
There will be additional opportunities for public input throughout the ongoing solicitation design process, which is scheduled to be complete by July 2025.