U.S. Government Awards First Commercial Floating Offshore Wind Leases in the Atlantic

In a landmark move, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has awarded leases for the development of floating offshore wind energy projects in the Gulf of Maine. The lease sale attracted nearly $22 million in bids from companies including Avangrid Renewables and Invenergy NE Offshore Wind. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s goal of enhancing offshore wind energy capacity by 2030. Environmentalists commend the sale for its potential to combat climate change and create jobs, while commercial fishermen express concerns over the impact on critical fishing regions. The lease areas, spanning over 625 square miles, could potentially power more than 2.3 million homes, advancing floating wind technology and the clean energy transition in the region. Read more.