Breaking off from the delivery of executive coaching sessions in order to link up with my friends at BOEM. It was to track the USA's two decade long journey towards becoming an offshore wind major. The process may be tortuous but with thousands of gigawatts of development potential ultimately at stake it is important that it’s done in the right way.
BOEM initial leasing round, is based on the UK’s Round 4 process and is seeing remarkable figures achieved at New York NY bight in swelling US treasury coffers.
My series of articles on BOEM and the reinvigorated US leasing program are proving popular with the community.
BOEM are ramping up engagement efforts and especially their efforts to include interested stakeholder in this time. The distances involves stateside have seen BOEM embrace technology effectively and today it is the turn of Oregon to enjoy a place in the spotlight. As with California further south I was keen to seen whether floating wind would be well place to build on its Scottish progress.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Jamie Damon proved an effective and pleasant host for a detailed session enabling it to move smoothly and that everyone’s voice be heard. The State of Oregon (the State) are committed to offshore wind energy planning with a meaningful and effective data-gathering and engagement process to inform potential offshore wind energy leasing decisions
The UK‘s very own DIT is keen to share supply-chain opportunities although the US states her vision for a robust offshore wind domestic supply chain that will deliver benefits to all American households, including underserved communities. From clean energy to good-paying jobs, our future bright.
This effort includes outreach and engagement with research organizations and potentially interested and affected parties to gather data and information to inform leasing decisions. BOEM and the State, led by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), are seeking to identify potential areas in federal waters offshore Oregon that may be suitable for offshore wind energy development. In partnership with the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force (Task Force), BOEM and DLCD developed the Data Gathering and Engagement Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in Oregon, which outlines the activities BOEM and the State will conduct for the outreach and engagement effort and Boem are sharing useful mapping resources.
The planning area for potential leasing offshore Oregon extends to water depths of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), where the average wind speed is at least 7 meters per second (13.6 knots). The latter data answers my own query regarding floating wind potential; Clearly it is abundant
Data-gathering efforts will include environmental information, ocean uses, and other pertinent information along the entire coast, in both federal and state waters, as it relates to offshore wind energy development in Oregon. Relevant onshore data, such as transmission cable routes and landfall, points of interconnection, and access to ports for installation and operation will also be included.
I recall from an immersive time with Boem at Sterling as to how fisheries were more contentious in the states than perhaps here in the UK. We heard that a sectoral balance with the scale of the economic opportunities may be achievable and- follow ups continue. Spawning grounds change and surveying can be difficult but the ocean will ultimately be shared rather than the domain of one sector and stakeholder engagement can safeguard sectoral interests. Indeed, the UK experience may offer a way forwards with trusted fisheries liaison officers and long-term the demand for experienced skippers for site operations and maintenance transforming communities including Europe's former largest fishing port, Grimsby.
The next steps in the authorization process for commercial offshore wind energy leasing, including a description of proposed offshore wind (OSW) planning Call Area(s) off the Oregon Coast and to solicit public comment. This meeting will include representatives from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), who will provide a presentation on the proposed Call Area(s), followed by discussion with the MPC and meeting participants. The meeting is open to all interested parties with a primary audience focus of fishery sector participants and stakeholders that operate in Oregon, particularly in the Oregon offshore wind planning area
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