BOEM has defined three Wind Energy Areas offshore North Carolina for potential commercial wind energy development.

On August 11, 2014, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has identified approximately 307,590 acres offshore North Carolina for potential commercial wind energy development.  The acreage includes three Wind Energy Areas

• Kitty Hawk Wind Energy Area (approximately 122,405 acres)
• Wilmington West Wind Energy Area (approximately 51,595 acres)
• Wilmington East Wind Energy Area (approximately 133,590 acres)

Pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, BOEM published a Call for Information and Nominations in December 2012 to assess competitive interest in the offshore wind industry to acquire commercial wind leases in the North Carolina Wind Energy Areas (WEA).  BOEM also published a Notice of Intent to prepare environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act to consider potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of issuing commercial wind leases and approving site assessment activities.  It considered comments received on the Call for Information and Notice of Intent and worked with government agencies and stakeholders to avoid high-use and sensitive resource areas while identifying potential wind development areas.  If leases are issued, commercial wind proposals will undergo construction and operation plans and site-specific environmental analysis.

DOI noted that BOEM’s efforts are consistent with its Smart from the Start initiative to support sustainable offshore wind development off the Atlantic Coast.  In July, DOI scheduled a competitive wind lease sale of approximately 80,000 acres offshore Maryland for August 19 and proposed a commercial wind lease sale of approximately 344,000 acres offshore New Jersey.  To date, BOEM has awarded two non-competitive leases and three competitive leases which generated more than $5M in high bids.

Like what you’re reading? Click below for a free trial of EnerKnol Research!