The US will potentially hold up to seven new offshore wind leases on the east, west and Gulf of Mexico coasts by 2025 to meet its 30GW 2030 target.
US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the plans during American Clean Power’s Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition in Boston.
Haaland said the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will potentially hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025 in the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico, as well as offshore the Carolinas, California, and Oregon.
Haaland said: “This timetable provides two crucial ingredients for success: increased certainty and transparency.
“Together, we will meet our clean energy goals while addressing the needs of other ocean users and potentially impacted communities. We have big goals to achieve a clean energy economy and Interior is meeting the moment.”
BOEM is working on refining its process for identifying additional Wind Energy Areas (areas that may be suitable for offshore wind energy leasing).
More specifically, BOEM is developing clear goals, objectives, and guidelines that can be shared with government agencies, Tribes, industry, ocean users, and others prior to identifying such areas.
In addition, BOEM will use the best available science as well as knowledge from ocean users and other stakeholders to minimize conflict with existing uses and marine life.
“We are working to facilitate a pipeline of projects that will establish confidence for the offshore wind industry,” said BOEM director Amanda Lefton.
“At the same time, we want to reduce potential conflicts as much as we can while meeting the administration’s goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
“This means we will engage early and often with all stakeholders prior to identifying any new Wind Energy Areas.”
In addition to identifying new offshore wind lease sales, BOEM is considering innovative lease stipulations consistent with the goals and objectives of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, such as lessee reporting requirements on efforts to minimise conflicts with other ocean users.
Business Network for Offshore Wind president and CEO Liz Burdock said: “Laying out clear, long-term development timelines, with specific locations, is exactly the kind of action that significantly strengthens investor confidence in the US offshore wind industry and attracts larger manufacturing facilities to our shores and harbours.”