The US government took a significant step towards expanding clean energy production by designating three new offshore wind areas in the Central Atlantic. These areas are strategically located off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
(Photo : MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
This photograph shows wind turbines at the Wind Float Atlantic floating offshore wind farm, around 20km from the coast of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal, on July 25, 2023.
Expanding Clean Energy Production
As part of the Biden-Harris administration's ambitious goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, Electrek reported that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) had announced three final Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
These WEAs were carefully developed with extensive input and feedback from various stakeholders, including states, Tribes, local residents, ocean users, federal government partners, and the public. The combined area of these three WEAs is approximately 356,550 acres.
The first WEA (A-2) covers 101,767 acres and is located 26 nautical miles (nm) away from Delaware Bay. The second WEA (B-1) spans 78,285 acres and is about 23.5 nm offshore of Ocean City, Maryland.
The third WEA (C-1) is the largest, covering 176,506 acres, and is approximately 35 nm from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay offshore Virginia.
These finalized designations hold great promise in achieving the stated energy goals, potentially supporting between four and eight gigawatts of clean energy production.
The collaborative efforts with various stakeholders reflect a commitment to driving renewable energy initiatives and a transition towards a more sustainable future for the nation.
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Advancing Cleaner, Resilient Energy Landscape
Work Boat reported that the development of these offshore wind areas signifies a significant step in advancing a cleaner and more resilient energy landscape.
According to BOEM Director Liz Klein, a strong emphasis is placed on a comprehensive and open offshore wind planning process. It involves engaging with Tribal governments, the Department of Defense, NASA, other government agencies, and ocean users at an early stage and maintaining frequent communication.
The commitment to transparent collaboration will persist as BOEM progresses with the environmental review process. In a collaborative effort, BOEM joined forces with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), as announced on its official website, to develop an all-encompassing, ecosystem-based ocean planning model.
This model played a crucial role in determining the final Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) for offshore wind development. The model utilized the best available data on natural resources, ocean industries such as fisheries and energy production, and areas designated for national security activities.
Its primary objective was to identify regions with abundant wind energy potential while minimizing potential impacts on other ocean users and protecting sensitive environmental resources.
The strategic partnership and utilization of this ecosystem-based planning model underscore the commitment to responsible and sustainable offshore wind development, balancing energy needs with environmental preservation and the interests of various stakeholders.
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