US reveals plans for up to 12 offshore wind auctions through 2028
US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has announced a new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule which includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028.
The leasing schedule includes four potential offshore lease sales in 2024, one each in 2025 and 2026, two in 2027, and four in 2028.
In 2021, the US announced an offshore wind leasing schedule through 2025. Under the new offshore wind energy leasing plan, 2024 will see leasing rounds in the Central Atlantic, the Gulf of Maine, the Gulf of Mexico, and Oregon.
In 2025 and 2026 lease sales will be held in the Gulf of Mexico and the Central Atlantic, respectively, while in 2027 leases will be up for grabs in the Gulf of Mexico and the New York Bight. Finally, lease sales will occur for wind projects in California, a US Territory, the Gulf of Maine, and Hawaii.
Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department has approved the nation’s first eight commercial-scale offshore wind projects and held four offshore wind lease auctions. Thus far, the US has approved more than 10GW worth of offshore wind projects.
“Our offshore wind leasing schedule will provide predictability to help developers and communities plan ahead and will provide the confidence needed to continue building on the tremendous offshore wind supply chain and manufacturing investments that we’ve already seen,” said Secretary Deb Haaland.
Although he sees the new plan as a move in the right direction, the President of the National Ocean Industries Association, Erik Milito, believes that it reinforces the pressing need for more offshore oil and gas lease sales. In comparison to the new offshore wind five-year plan, only three offshore oil and gas lease sales are planned over the next five years.
“Any actions to delay or reduce Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sales could inadvertently delay offshore wind lease sales. Periods of inactivity in lease sales — whether for wind or oil and gas — only increase uncertainty and risk driving investment dollars overseas. Sustaining regular lease sales for all energy sources ensures energy continuity, promotes economic growth, and maintains America’s competitiveness in the global energy market,” Milito said.
He also commended the Interior’s announcement and urged Congress to continue bipartisan efforts to legislate offshore lease sales for both oil and gas and wind energy at regular intervals.
Last week, the US offshore wind industry took a heavy hit after the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority cancelled three projects from its third solicitation round.
To help rid itself of such situations, the Interior and the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as well as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement have revealed updated regulations for renewable energy development on the US Outer Continental Shelf. Over the next 20 years, the final, more streamlined, rules are expected to result in cost savings of roughly $1.9bn for the offshore wind industry.
