Avangrid and Invenergy have each acquired two strategic offshore wind leases in the Gulf of Maine auction, investing nearly $22 million collectively in support of U.S. clean energy objectives.
The auction, managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), marks a significant step toward bolstering renewable energy capacity along the U.S. East Coast.
Avangrid secured leases OCS-564 and OCS-568 for a total of $11.1 million. The two areas, located approximately 29.5 nautical miles from Massachusetts, span 98,565 and 124,897 acres, respectively.
Invenergy NE Offshore Wind obtained leases OCS-562 and OCS-567 for $4.9 million and $5.9 million, covering 97,854 acres about 46.2 nautical miles from Maine and 117,780 acres about 21.6 nautical miles from Massachusetts. Together, these areas could power more than 2.3 million homes with clean energy, according to BOEM estimates.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the administration's commitment to its clean energy goals, highlighting the growing momentum in offshore wind. BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein noted the agency's extensive outreach efforts in Maine and Massachusetts, with over 100 engagements with local communities and stakeholders. “Collaboration with states, Tribes, ocean users, and industry leaders is key to making progress,” Klein added.
In total, the sale generated over $5.4 million in bidding credits, supporting investments in workforce training, domestic supply chain development, and fisheries compensatory mitigation.
Lease stipulations also require lessees to pursue project labor agreements, communication plans for stakeholder engagement, and semi-annual reports on outreach activities with Tribal and community groups.
The leases grant Avangrid and Invenergy the right to propose project plans, though actual construction awaits an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will assess each project's impact and be developed in consultation with Tribes, agencies, and public input.
