The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) maintains its momentum in propelling the U.S. offshore wind energy sector forward. Today, it announces the finalization of its Environmental Assessment for potential offshore wind development in the Central Atlantic region, encompassing the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
The proposal for offshore wind lease sale in two areas within the Central Atlantic was unveiled in mid-December 2023. Following this, in January and February, BOEM released the draft of the environmental impact and conducted the required public comment period. After a thorough review, which included site assessments and characterization activities such as geophysical, geological, and archaeological surveys, it was determined that lease issuance would not have significant impacts.
The subsequent step in the process involves the publication of a final sale notice at least 30 days prior to the proposed auction. BOEM reports its intention to hold the sale for the Central Atlantic region later this year.
“BOEM is committed to supporting the clean energy transition responsibly in the Central Atlantic region,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. She emphasized the approval of the nation’s first eight commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects and four offshore wind lease auctions since the Biden administration took office in 2021.
The initiative outlines two parcels in the Central Atlantic, one approximately 26 nautical miles from the Delaware Bay, potentially serving Maryland and Delaware, and the other 35 nautical miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to serve Virginia.
Work has already commenced on the first wind farm in the region. Dominion Energy has initiated offshore work for its wind farm, located offshore from Virginia Beach, which is set to become the largest wind farm in the U.S. Upon completion in late 2026, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind will feature 176 turbines with a capacity of 2.6 GW.
The Department of the Interior has identified a total of four areas within the zone of 20 to 60 miles off the coast, ranging from Delaware in the north to North Carolina in the south, as potential areas in the Central Atlantic. Additionally, they have targeted two large zones further offshore into the Atlantic for possible future consideration.
In April, a new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule was announced, which includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028. The schedule comprises four potential offshore lease sales in 2024, one each in 2025 and 2026, two in 2027, and four in 2028. Subsequently, an environmental assessment was also completed in the Gulf of Maine, and proposed sales for the Gulf of Maine and off the coast of Oregon were put forth.
The Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area proposal would encompass eight lease areas offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, totaling nearly one million acres, with the potential to generate approximately 15 GW of renewable energy. The proposed lease sale in Oregon includes two lease areas totaling 194,995 acres, one in the Coos Bay Wind Energy Area and the other in the Brookings Wind Energy Area. However, proposals for Oregon continue to face strong opposition from local groups.
The Department highlights its approval of more than 10 gigawatts of energy from offshore wind projects, sufficient to power nearly 4 million homes. It is striving to achieve the goal of having 30 GW of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, although experts express doubts regarding meeting this goal on schedule due to setbacks experienced in 2023. Additionally, the department aims to advance floating offshore wind as part of the second phase of the industry’s development.
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