US Approves First-of-its-Kind Floating Offshore Wind Energy Research Lease
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the United States Ocean Energy Agency, has granted the state of Maine the first floating offshore wind energy research lease in the United States.
The lease covers nearly 15,000 acres on the United States Outer Continental Shelf, is 28 nautical miles off Maine’s coast.
It can accommodate up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating 144 megawatts of renewable energy.
The research program is a joint venture between the State of Maine, the fishing community, the offshore wind industry and the wildlife experts.
The main focus of the research is to thoroughly assess the potential of floating offshore wind energy, including its environmental impacts and compatibility with existing ocean activities.
The research lease is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to expand offshore wind energy.
The Department has also conducted five offshore wind lease auctions, including record-breaking sales off the coast of New York