Interior announces five-year plan for offshore wind sales

By Heather Richards | 04/24/2024 06:56 AM EDT

The proposed sales are part of the Biden administration’s push to advance the offshore wind sector.

Wind turbines.

Wind turbines off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Steve Helber/AP

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced a plan Wednesday to hold 12 offshore wind auctions in U.S. oceans between now and 2028, a shift to a long-term schedule that could spur the growing industry.

Haaland said in a statement that the Biden administration is building the nation’s offshore wind industry “from the ground up.”

“Our offshore wind leasing schedule will provide predictability to help developers and communities plan ahead and will provide the confidence needed to continue building on the tremendous offshore-wind supply chain and manufacturing investments that we’ve already seen,” said Haaland, who is expected to champion the new five-year wind program at an industry event in New Orleans on Wednesday.

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The proposed sales are part of the Biden administration’s push to advance the offshore wind sector. Interior has approved more than 10 gigawatts of offshore wind since President Joe Biden took office and has held four lease sales — including one that brought in $4.4 billion in the New York Bight in 2022.

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