US starts work on second Central Atlantic offshore wind auction

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced that it will be publishing a call for a second regional offshore wind energy sale in the Central Atlantic.

This call invites public feedback on possible commercial wind energy development in areas off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The Central Atlantic 2 leasing process will start today with a 60-day public comment period.

After the public comment period closes, BOEM will review and analyse commercial nominations and public comments submitted in response to the call and identify draft wind energy areas. After completing its environmental reviews and consultations, BOEM may propose a competitive lease sale. 

This announcement builds on last week’s first Central Atlantic lease sale, the fifth offshore wind lease sale held during the current administration.

Norwegian energy major Equinor and US-based Dominion Energy won two separate US offshore wind leases in the first Central Atlantic auction after bidding around $93m.

The Central Atlantic 2 area consists of just over 54,538 sq km off New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina Coasts. According to BOEM, the call area is broad to allow flexibility to minimise conflicts with other uses, such as commercial fisheries, military activities, and vessel traffic.

BOEM said it would collaborate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science to help identify where conflicts may exist.

“[This] kicks off the process for a second potential auction in the Central Atlantic and provides an important avenue to solicit information as we identify potential areas that may be suitable for future offshore wind energy leasing,” said BOEM director Elizabeth Klein.