The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has taken a significant step forward by releasing the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Maryland Offshore Wind Project proposed by US Wind. This development marks a crucial milestone in the approval process for a project that holds the potential to significantly boost Maryland's renewable energy capacity.
US Wind is seeking approval to construct and operate the Maryland Offshore Wind Project, which encompasses three planned phases. Two of these phases, namely the 270-megawatt (MW) MarWin and the 808-MW Momentum Wind, have already obtained offshore renewable energy certificates from the State of Maryland. If given the green light, the entire project has the capacity to generate an impressive 1,100 MW to 2,200 MW of clean energy.
US Wind's comprehensive proposal for all three phases includes the installation of up to 121 turbines, the potential for up to four offshore substation platforms, one meteorological tower, and as many as four offshore export cable corridors. The landfall for these cables is slated to occur within Delaware Seashore State Park.
BOEM's release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement is a pivotal moment in the project's progression. The agency will use the findings from this statement to inform its decision on whether to approve the project's Construction and Operations Plan and, if approved, what mitigation measures may be required.
US Wind's Chief Executive, Jeff Grybowski, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, “This is the most significant step forward in the history of Maryland offshore wind. BOEM's draft environmental impact statement sets us on a path toward starting construction on our offshore wind projects in 2025, putting Maryland's goals that much closer to reality. We are proud to be the first to deliver this clean energy to Delmarva and look forward to the day we can get steel in the water.”
