Department of the Interior Sets Auction Date for Central Atlantic Wind Energy Areas
For Immediate Release: June 28, 2024
Media Contact: Julia Pendleton, juliap@sewind.org
Richmond, VA– Today, the Department of the Interior released a Final Sale Notice (FSN) for two offshore wind lease areas in the Central Atlantic, marking an important step on the path to continued offshore wind development in the region. On August 14, 2024, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold an auction for wind energy areas (WEAs) in the Central Atlantic that have the potential to provide more than 6.3 gigawatts (GWs) of clean, reliable energy to millions of residents.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in our region’s embrace of offshore wind as a way to meet growing energy demand. With the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project currently under construction, Virginia leads the Southeast in offshore wind economic development. Additional WEAs in close proximity to Virginia will only strengthen the Commonwealth’s position as an offshore wind hub on the East Coast,” said Katharine Kollins, President of the Southeastern Wind Coalition.
Located 35 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia, Area C-1 contains 176,505 acres and is adjacent to the eastern edge of CVOW and northeast of the Kitty Hawk Wind project. With three WEAs in close proximity, Virginia has the potential to exceed its 5.6 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind goal established in the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA).
Offshore wind is continuing its explosive growth in 2024, with more Americans set to see benefits from the advancement of this clean and reliable domestic energy source. In Virginia, every GW of new development is anticipated to yield 5,200 direct and indirect jobs, and generate more than $740 million in economic output. BOEM’s commitment to advancing the offshore wind industry through actions such as today’s FSN is an opportunity for Virginia to further strengthen its position as an industry leader, and set an example for other Southeastern states.
About SEWC
The Southeastern Wind Coalition is a 501(c)3 that works to advance the land-based and offshore wind industry in the Southeast. We focus on providing fact-based information on the economic and environmental opportunities of wind energy, and encourage solutions that result in net economic benefits to residents and ratepayers. For more information about the Southeastern Wind Coalition visit www.sewind.org.
