The US Department of the Interior, along with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), has unveiled plans for two new offshore wind auction areas off the coasts of Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine, aiming to harness some 18GW of energy potential.
BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein emphasized the collaborative approach in advancing offshore wind energy, stating, “As we move forward with offshore wind energy in Oregon and the Gulf of Maine, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management remains dedicated to close collaboration with our government partners and key stakeholders.”
This initiative marks the beginning of a five-year lease schedule, following the federal government's recent announcement of a comprehensive blueprint for offshore wind lease auctions across the United States. The plan envisions up to 12 separate auctions over the next five years.
In the Gulf of Maine, the proposal entails eight separate leases, with BOEM proposing simultaneous auctions for each. The department is also considering providing bidding credits to incentivize bidders supporting workforce training programs, supply chain development, or fisheries compensatory mitigation funds.
Meanwhile, off the coast of Oregon, the government has outlined two lease areas covering approximately 194,995 acres. The proposed lease areas, located in the Coos Bay and Brookings Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), aim to tap into the region's wind energy potential.
Similar to the Gulf of Maine proposal, the Oregon plan seeks feedback on bidding credits to encourage investments in workforce training, supply chain development, and floating technology suitable for the deeper waters of the US west coast.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland underscored the government's commitment to advancing renewable energy projects, stating, “Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved the nation's first eight commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects.”
