The US federal authorities and the Maryland state authorities will work collectively to establish extra areas offshore Maryland that can home future offshore wind initiatives. This was introduced on 11 December, following the discharge of the proposed sale discover for 2 wind vitality areas (WEAs) within the Central Atlantic, one off Delaware and Maryland, and one offshore Virginia.
A 3rd space that was recognized for potential leasing, designated as WEA B-1 and situated off Maryland, was faraway from this proposed lease sale because of the vital prices and mitigation that might be required. The federal authorities says that it has preliminarily recognized acreage off Maryland’s coast of the same dimension and wind vitality era capability to B-1 that may very well be supplied in a subsequent public sale.
This space will probably be analyzed extra absolutely and collaboratively by the Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration (BOEM), the State of Maryland, federal companies and different stakeholders as a possible WEA, together with extra potential offshore wind areas all alongside the Central Atlantic shoreline, for inclusion in an offshore wind lease sale as early as 2025, the Division of the Inside (DOI) mentioned in a press launch on 11 December.
“We have now made it clear that we’re going to work to make sure that Maryland accelerates its development within the clear vitality financial system, and we’re dedicated to reaching our purpose of making 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind vitality. Making Maryland the chief in producing clear, renewable wind vitality for the entire area would require bringing everybody to the desk,” mentioned Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
“I recognize the Biden-Harris administration’s dedication to working with us to responsibly open areas for offshore wind that can assist us meet our long-term objectives. I look ahead to our continued partnership with our federal and business companions to assist not solely Maryland attain its objectives, however to assist the nation attain its purpose of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind vitality capability by 2030.”
Earlier this 12 months, the governor enacted a invoice that units the state’s 2031 offshore wind goal to eight.5 GW.
Maryland at present has round 2 GW of offshore wind initiatives awarded offshore renewable vitality credit (ORECs) and transferring via the federal allowing system.
In 2017, the Maryland Public Service Fee (PSC) awarded offshore renewable vitality credit (ORECs) to US Wind’s and Ørsted’s 248 MW MarWin and 120 MW Skipjack 1 initiatives. In 2021, the 2 builders received ORECs for his or her 808.5 MW Momentum Wind (US Wind) and 846 MW Skipjack Wind 2 (Ørsted) offshore wind farms.
BOEM initiated the federal allowing course of for the initiatives at US Wind’s offshore wind lease space final 12 months and issued a draft Environmental Impression Assertion (EIS) in October 2023.
