The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has urged the US Department of the Interior to advance offshore wind development in the country by conducting new lease auctions early next year.
AWEA made the call one year after a record-breaking auction for three lease areas off the coast of Massachusetts.
The rights to develop the three lease areas sold for a combined $405m, with winning bids coming from Mayflower Wind Energy, Equinor, and Vineyard Wind.
AWEA senior director for policy and regulatory affairs offshore Laura Morton said: “Last year’s auction results erased any doubts that harnessing the winds off America’s shores offers a tremendous investment opportunity.
“But this represents more than a big investment – it means well-paying American jobs, a new US supply chain, and a homegrown clean energy source.
“The Department of Interior can expedite the creation of these benefits by holding firm to its directives to create a predictable regulatory environment throughout the energy sector, continuing to advance offshore wind projects under development, and conducting lease auctions as promised early next year.”
Earlier this year, AWEA said it joined the National Ocean Industries Association, Offshore Marine Service Association and Consumers’ Energy Alliance in sending letters to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross calling for them to recognise the economic benefits of offshore wind to the Gulf Coast and other coastal states and throughout the US.