FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2024

Washington, DC — On August 14, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior held an offshore wind lease auction, offering two leases for sale in the Central Atlantic region and marking a significant milestone in the development of the U.S. offshore wind sector. The auction attracted six bidders and included seven competitive rounds of bidding, yielding over $93 million in revenue. Equinor Wind US provisionally won Lease OCS-A 0557 at $75,001,001 and Virginia Electric and Power Co provisionally won Lease OCS-A 0558 at $17,650,500. These results reflect robust industry and investor confidence in American offshore wind energy, signaling continued momentum for offshore wind development driven by strong local support and clear state policy targets.

“American offshore wind is benefiting communities from coast to coast by delivering clean, domestic power; generating thousands of jobs across communities and industries; and fueling millions of dollars in local economic investments. Today’s successful lease auction in the Central Atlantic creates new opportunities for transformative job creation and investments, furthering the expansion of a robust, local domestic supply chain while powering 2.2 million homes with clean, reliable, homegrown energy,” said Catherine Bowes, Senior Director at Turn Forward. “Turn Forward applauds the leadership across sectors from the federal to state and local levels that is accelerating offshore wind’s momentum and positioning it as a powerful economic driver and a key clean energy solution for Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia communities.”

The leases sold today have the potential to generate 6.3 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy — enough to power over 2.2 million homes across the Central Atlantic region. This auction highlights investor confidence in America’s growing offshore wind market, and furthers opportunities for offshore wind to play a critical role in our energy mix, contributing to energy independence and driving economic growth across the country, including thousands of good-paying jobs and critical investments in local infrastructure.

Turn Forward is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to advancing an ambitious vision for American offshore wind power that meets today’s climate, economic, equity and environmental challenges.

For media inquiries, please reach out to media@turnforward.org