The US Department of the Interior announced that it will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale in the Central Atlantic. The lease will target two areas capable of generating nearly 6.3 gigawatts.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will conduct the auction on 14 August. Two areas offshore the states of Delaware and Maryland and one area offshore Virginia will be available for sale.
Lease Area A-2, spanning 101,443 acres (41,053 ha), is situated 26 nautical miles (nm) from Delaware Bay, while Lease Area C-1, covering 176,505 acres, is located about 35 nm from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
According to the BOEM, the two areas have the potential to power around 2.2 million households with the 6.3 GW of renewable energy produced.
Also read: China’s offshore wind power costs set to undercut coal power price
The lease announcement is among the several initiatives taken by the Department to expand offshore wind energy opportunities.
Secretary Deb Haaland, “Across America’s coasts, we continue to see excitement and momentum for the Biden-Harris administration’s pursuit of a clean energy future. We are taking action to jumpstart America’s offshore wind energy industry and using American innovation to deliver reliable, affordable power to homes and businesses, while also addressing the climate crisis.”
She added, “As we do, we are working collaboratively with states, Tribes and stakeholders to ensure we are making smart decisions and efficient use of our nation’s offshore resources.”