- May. 11th 2022 2:34 pm PT
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today held the lease sale for two offshore wind areas in Carolina Long Bay. Up to 16 prequalified bidders competed for lease rights for 110,091 acres off North Carolina’s and South Carolina’s shores. Together, they will result in at least 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 500,000 homes.
At 4:56 p.m. BOEM announced the provisional winners:
BREAKING NEWS: With $315 million in high bids, the provisional winners of the #CarolinaLongBay wind energy auction have been announced.
🌊 110K+ acres for development 🔌 1.3GW clean energy potential 🏠 500K+ homes supplied 💰 $42M for domestic supply chain + workforce training pic.twitter.com/hgFynfeMzj
— Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (@BOEM) May 11, 2022
After 18 rounds, OCS-A 0545 went to French multinational TotalEnergies Renewables USA for $160 million, and OCS-A 0546 went to Duke Energy Renewables Wind for $155 million.
The Carolina Long Bay offshore wind auction included a new 20% credit for bidders that committed to a monetary contribution to programs or initiatives that support workforce training programs for the offshore wind industry, development of a US domestic supply chain for the offshore wind energy industry, or both. This credit will result in $42 million for these critical programs or initiatives.
White House national climate adviser Gina McCarthy tweeted:
President Biden keeps delivering on the opportunities of clean energy. Today’s offshore wind auction brought in $315 million for Carolina Long Bay areas with the potential to power 500,000 homes. And more offshore wind means more jobs for American workers! https://t.co/EDLx2GVOhZ
— Gina McCarthy (@ginamccarthy46) May 11, 2022
Liz Burdock, CEO and founder of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, issued the following statement:
Today, America’s offshore wind industry and its supply chain took another significant step forward with the successful Wilmington East lease auction. For the first time, the federal government used an auction system designed to spark investment directly into US manufacturers, small businesses, shipbuilders, and new workforce training, accelerating development of the already-emerging domestic supply chain. With global demand for offshore wind soaring, the US must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity and develop a robust domestic supply chain to secure our energy future.
And Anthony Allard, head of North America for Hitachi Energy, said in an emailed statement to Electrek:
Not only is the sale a major milestone for our clean energy future, but the United States’ growing offshore wind energy industry presents a $109 billion revenue opportunity to businesses in the supply chain over the next decade.
BOEM says that the two lease blocks within the area have similar acreage, distance to shore, and wind resource potential.
BOEM reported on LinkedIn yesterday that it conducted environmental reviews and issued a finding of no significant impact.
It also worked with the commercial fishing industry, tribes, partnering agencies, key stakeholders, and the public to reduce conflicts with ocean users and minimize environmental impacts. The agency said it will continue to engage with stakeholders as the development process unfolds.
In regards to bird flight patterns near wind turbines, BOEM reported:
We are including a stipulation, at the recommendation of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, requiring the use of Motus telemetry tracking stations on meteorological buoys to help address information gaps on offshore movements of birds and bats, including ESA-listed species.
Read more: The first US offshore wind farm has had no negative effect on fish, finds groundbreaking study
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Michelle Lewis is a writer and editor on Electrek and an editor on DroneDJ, 9to5Mac, and 9to5Google. She lives in White River Junction, Vermont. She has previously worked for Fast Company, the Guardian, News Deeply, Time, and others. Message Michelle on Twitter or at michelle@9to5mac.com. Check out her personal blog.
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