Icebreaker Wind Ohio’s took a major step forward in bringing its offshore wind turbine demonstration project to reality with the issuance of a letter by the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) finding that Icebreaker Windpower’s application for a permit to construct North America’s first freshwater offshore wind project is now in compliance and ready to be processed.
The OPSB will next issue public notice and review of the application will continue. The six-turbine 20.7-MW demonstration project will be located 8 to 10 miles off the shore of Cleveland, Ohio. The project will create nearly 500 jobs and provide power for approximately 7,000 homes.
The completeness determination by OSPB followed submission by Windbreaker of two Memoranda of Understanding with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) regarding monitoring protocols to determine any project impacts on fisheries and aquatic resources and birds and bats.
“The OPSB’s determination that our application is now complete is a major step forward in the state permitting process,” said Dr. Lorry Wagner, President of LEEDCo. “We are confident that our application demonstrates conclusively that our offshore wind demonstration project will not only have minimal adverse impact on fish and wildlife but will also create jobs, boost the local and regional economy, and provide a local source of clean energy.
Filed Under: Construction, Offshore wind, Projects