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US BOEM releases final EIS for SouthCoast Wind Project

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 2.4 GW SouthCoast Wind Project, which, if approved, could power approximately 800,000 homes.   The SouthCoast Wind proposal includes up to 147 turbines, five offshore substations, and eight export cables, with landfall options at Brayton Point or Falmouth, Massachusetts. The project’s lease area covers about 127,388 acres, located 26 nm south of Martha’s Vineyard. Public input during a…

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BOEM finalises environmental review for wind leases in New York Bight

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed an environmental review for six wind lease areas in the New York Bight, potentially generating up to 7GW of offshore wind energy.  This development supports the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. The lease areas span 488,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, with the potential to supply power to two million homes. BOEM’s review,…

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US BOEM delays Oregon offshore wind auction

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has postponed its planned auction for offshore wind energy leases off the coast of Oregon, citing insufficient interest from bidders. Initially scheduled for 15 October 2024, only one company expressed interest after the Final Sale Notice was issued in August. The auction featured two lease areas and five qualifying companies. Despite this setback, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved 10 commercial-scale offshore wind projects since 2021, aiming to…

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BOEM announces second offshore wind energy sale in the Central Atlantic

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has initiated the process for a second regional offshore wind energy sale in the Central Atlantic, called Central Atlantic 2. This initiative invites public input on potential commercial wind energy development off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Building on the groundwork from the inaugural Central Atlantic lease sale on August 14, 2024, the Central Atlantic 2 Call marks a preliminary step…

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BOEM grants Maine the first US floating offshore wind research lease for a 144 MW project

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has granted the State of Maine the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research lease, covering 15.2 square miles located 28 nautical miles offshore on the US Outer Continental Shelf. This lease could enable the deployment of up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines, generating up to 144MW of renewable energy. The research array will facilitate in-depth studies on the viability of floating offshore wind in the…

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BOEM completes environmental assessment for offshore wind development off Oregon coast 

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has finalized its environmental assessment (EA) for potential offshore wind energy development off the Oregon coast. The assessment concluded that issuing leases would not significantly impact people or the environment. This marks a significant step under the Biden-Harris administration, which has already approved nine commercial-scale offshore wind projects and conducted four lease auctions, including the first sales off the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The Department…

Power Sector News Roundup for November 12, 2024

Global: ACCA report warns of inadequate climate preparedness among businesses. EnBW to install a 100 MW battery storage system in Marbach, Germany. ScottishPower signs £1 billion deal with Siemens Gamesa for East Anglia 2 offshore wind farm. Entrion Wind secures US patent for FRP monopile technology. SPPC awards 7.2 GW power project contracts under Saudi Vision 2030. Energy Vault to build a 57 MW battery storage project in Texas. Nexans to sell AmerCable to Mattr…

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Avangrid and Invenergy secure Gulf of Maine offshore wind leases

Avangrid Renewables and Invenergy NE Offshore Wind have won two lease areas each in the Gulf of Maine through a US government-led offshore wind lease sale conducted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).  This sale marks the sixth offshore wind lease under the Biden-Harris administration and the first for commercial floating offshore wind on the Atlantic coast. Avangrid acquired leases OCS-564 (98,565 acres) for $4.9 million and OCS-568 (124,897 acres) for $6.2 million….

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US to hold first offshore wind lease auction in Gulf of Maine in October

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) will hold its first offshore wind energy lease auction for the Gulf of Maine on 29 October 2024. The auction will offer leases for eight areas off the coasts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, with the potential to generate 13 GW of power, enough to supply 4.5 million homes. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) reduced the available acreage by 120,000 from the initial proposal to…

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US approves 2 GW Maryland offshore wind project

The US government has approved the 2 GW Maryland offshore wind project, marking the tenth commercial-scale offshore wind initiative approved under President Joe Biden’s administration. The project is expected to create 2,680 jobs annually through 2031. Located 8.7 nautical miles offshore Maryland and 9 nautical miles from Sussex County, Delaware, the project will feature 114 turbines, four offshore substation platforms, a meteorological tower, and up to four offshore export cable corridors. The lease will be…