US Wind project gains approval
After a years-long approval process, the US Wind project off the coast of Ocean City, Md., has been given the green light by the federal government.
The 2-gigawatt project comprises up to 121 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substations, up to four offshore export cables and one meteorological tower in ocean waters about 10 miles due east of Ocean City. The offshore export cables are proposed to land at 3R’s Beach, north of Bethany Beach, and interconnect into a proposed substation that would be constructed on land adjacent to the Indian River power plant.
US Wind CEO Jeff Grybowski released this statement on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s favorable record of decision formalizing the analysis set forth in last month’s final environmental impact statement on the company’s construction and operations plan.
“Today marks the culmination of years of comprehensive environmental analysis on US Wind’s proposed projects,” he said. “BOEM’s record of decision brings us another step closer to securing final approvals later this year and getting steel in the water. We’re eager to advance Maryland’s offshore wind goals and support good jobs in the region for decades to come.”
US Wind was founded in 2011. In 2014, US Wind acquired an 80,000-acre federal lease area off the coast of Maryland, which has the potential to generate up to 2 GW of offshore wind power. US Wind is owned by Renexia S.p.A., a leader in renewable energy development in Italy and a subsidiary of Toto Holding S.p.A.
In addition to securing federal permits for construction, US Wind still has to receive conditional-use approval from Sussex County Council to connect four cables from the offshore wind project to a substation near the Indian River power plant in Millsboro. The plan is for the cables to pass 60 feet under the Atlantic Ocean, come ashore 9 feet deep at 3R’s Beach and Route 1 south of Indian River Inlet and be buried 6 feet under Indian River Bay to the substation site. The substation would be connected to the electric grid.
Jim Fuqua, attorney for US Wind subsidiary Renewable Redevelopment LLC, said at county council’s July 30 hearing that the benefits to Sussex County include $250 million in upgrades to the electric grid, jobs for construction and operation, funding for dredging, and $40 million to beach towns paid out $100,000 per year for 20 years. Delaware’s beach towns, except Fenwick Island and Lewes, have agreed to consider the offer from US Wind but have not formally accepted.
The mayors of Fenwick Island and and Ocean City, Md., the two towns closest to the offshore wind project, have been extremely vocal in their opposition of the project. They’ve been joined by many members of the public and the Caesar Rodney Institute.
The approval was celebrated by White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.
“Today’s approval of our nation’s 10th offshore wind project – a total game-change from the zero projects approved before President Biden and Vice President Harris took office – shows the tremendous progress we are making to harness this economic opportunity that both benefits American workers and the planet alike,” he said. “From port infrastructure upgrades and new tax credits to speeding responsible and efficient permitting, we are using every tool available to continue turbocharging this industry and delivering a clean energy future for the nation.”
The project is expected to power over 718,000 homes. Additionally, the development and construction phases of the project could support up to 2,680 jobs annually over seven years.
