The U.S. Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) is increasing its west coast activities and collaboration with state and federal agencies in Oregon, Hawaii and California. With a focus on assessing the impacts and benefits of offshore renewable ocean projects in the Pacific, Intergovernmental task forces have been established at the request of Oregon and Hawaii’s governors and soon California may follow.
Floating offshore wind technologies are being considered for the deeper waters found in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf. Last month, BOEM received and reviewed an unsolicited lease request from Trident Winds, LLC (Trident Winds) for a floating wind energy project offshore from Morro Bay, California, and is expected in the near future to issue a Federal Register Notice to determine any competitive interest.
The Trident project could contribute 800MW of nameplate capacity consisting of approximately 100 floating foundations, possibly using large 8 MW wind turbines. Further, BOEM is processing an unsolicited lease request for a proposed floating wind demonstration project offshore of Coos Bay, Oregon involving three 6 to 8 MW floating wind turbines anchored to the seafloor in 1,200 to 1,600 feet of water.
Interests in Hawaii remains strong as BOEM is processing three unsolicited lease requests for offshore wind energy development off the island of Oahu. Two projects are proposed by AW Hawaii Wind, LLC (AWH), while the other is proposed by Progression Hawaii Offshore Wind, Inc. (Progression). Each of the proposed projects would yield approximately 400 MW from wind turbines on floating platforms in water depths ranging from 950 to 3,200 ft. The fourth Task force meeting in Hawaii is scheduled for May 16th with the venue to be determined. (www.boem.gov/Hawaii)
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind
