Oceantic Network statement on first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine

Eight Wind Energy Areas could support a staggering 13 GW of floating offshore wind development

Oceantic Network celebrates today’s announcement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of the first offshore wind lease sale in the Gulf of Maine. The agency issued a Final Sale Notice (FSN) for an October 29 auction that encompasses over 800,000 acres, enough space to construct 13 GW of offshore wind power generation with the potential to power more than 4.5 million homes. This represents the largest potential capacity from a single offshore wind lease auction in U.S. history.

The eight lease areas are in waters too deep for traditional fixed-bottom wind turbines, requiring future projects to utilize floating offshore wind technology. The FSN also includes stipulations designed to promote the floating offshore wind supply chain, transmission planning, and well-paying union jobs. Today’s announcement follows the issuance of an offshore wind research lease to the state of Maine in August. This lease enables the state—in collaboration with the fishing community, wildlife experts, and industry leaders—to construct a 144 MW pilot project and conduct studies that will inform future floating offshore wind development in the region and beyond. 

The following statement can be attributed to Liz Burdock, CEO of Oceantic Network: “Oceantic Network fully supports BOEM’s advancement of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. Today, they’ve established eight Wind Energy Areas capable of generating up to 13 GW– nearly half of the nation’s 30 GW goal and the majority of its 15 GW floating offshore wind goal. This represents a monumental step forward for floating offshore wind technology not only in the U.S., but globally. With ample acreage for new projects and a state research lease, BOEM is helping to position Maine as a hub of innovation that will fuel the development of floating offshore wind technology. Oceantic looks forward to continuing to work with BOEM, the state of Maine, and interested stakeholders to support responsible offshore wind development in the region.”