US offshore wind auction delayed for lack of bidders

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) says the lack of interest in an offshore wind farm planned for the outer continental shelf offshore Oregon, in the northwest of the US, means the auction previously planned for October 15 will not now go ahead.

A Final Sale Notice was issued on August 29 through the Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, which would have put two areas up for lease.

It also identified five companies it considered would qualify to bid, but only one registered its interest.

BOEM says there have been 10 offshore wind sites approved by the current US government, with a combined capacity of 15GW.

Oceantic Network, formerly the Business Network for Offshore Wind, was set up to focus on advancing offshore wind and other ocean renewables in the US.

Responding to the auction cancellation, vice president of Strategic Communication at Oceantic Network Sam Salustro sounded a positive note.

“Oceantic Network supports BOEM’s decision today to advance offshore wind energy responsibly in Oregon,” he said.

“The west coast is an emerging market that will require new technologies. Regional supply chain coordination is key to a successful roll-out of offshore wind energy, and we are seeing the region advance: California has set new offtake goals and allocated funding for ports and transmission, and with Gov. Inslee’s support, Washington State Maritime Blue formed the Blue Wind Supply Chain Collaborative to promote local manufacturing for offshore wind components.

“Oceantic is confident that Oregon will soon join other states in the development of offshore wind projects as conversations continue and supply chain opportunities materialize.”

The delay echoes a similar auction held in the UK last year, which did go ahead but did not receive a single bid for offshore wind.

This year’s Auction 6 round was much more successful, with 5.34GW secured across 10 projects, including one for floating wind.