US advances plans for offshore wind energy lease sales in 5 states

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced two proposals for offshore wind energy auctions with a total combined capacity to generate over 18 GW and power more than 6 million homes. The first proposal made by BOEM consists of eight lease areas located offshore the US states of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire with the potential to generate approximately 15 GW of renewable energy and power more than five million homes. BOEM plans to conduct simultaneous auctions for each of the eight lease areas using multiple factor bidding and is currently seeking feedback on the proposed lease areas (size, orientation, location, and possible lease priority). The second proposal corresponds to two lease areas in Oregon (one in the Coos Bay Wind Energy Area and the other in the Brookings Wind Energy Area) in a 790 km² area, with the potential to generate about 3 GW to power more than one million homes with renewable energy. The BOEM has already released its draft environmental review for public review and comment along with the lease proposal. Additionally, the US state of New Jersey has also announced the approval of the fourth offshore wind solicitation guidance document (SGD) and the opening of its fourth offshore wind auction, seeking to award between 1.2 GW and 4 GW of offshore wind generation capacity.

In April 2024, the BOEM announced a new five-year offshore wind lease schedule, which includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028, with four leasing sales being planned to take place in Central Atlantic, the Gulf of Maine, the Gulf of Mexico, and Oregon during 2024.