The U.S. Energy Department (DOE) and U.S. Interior Department (DOI) have released “An Action Plan for Offshore Wind Transmission Development in the U.S. Atlantic Region,” a set of actions that will catalyze offshore wind energy, strengthen the domestic supply chain and create jobs.
Developed by DOE’s Grid Deployment and Wind Energy Technologies Offices and DOI’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the plan outlines immediate actions needed to connect the first generation of Atlantic offshore wind projects onto the electric grid, and longer-term efforts to support needed transmission over the next several decades. Coordinated planning can help speed up timelines and lower project costs, while strengthening grid reliability and resilience.
DOE also launched the “Tribal Nation Technical Assistance Program for Offshore Wind Transmission” offering education and training resources to support engagement in offshore wind planning and created in direct response to tribal input. Together, these activities will advance equitable and sustainable offshore wind energy development, domestic manufacturing and grid integration, as part of broader efforts across the Biden-Harris administration to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030, unlocking a pathway to 110 GW or more by 2050.
“Together with industry, labor and other partners from coast to coast, we are building an entirely new industry to bolster our supply chains and strengthen our offshore wind development,” says Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
“An Action Plan for Offshore Wind Transmission Development in the U.S. Atlantic Region” details how wind resources could efficiently be captured off the Atlantic Coast. It outlines immediate actions needed to connect the first generation of Atlantic offshore wind projects to the electric grid, as well as longer-term efforts to increase transmission over the next several decades.
The plan was informed by the Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission Study, which will soon be released by DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, as well as a series of convening workshops with subject matter experts and decision makers, including tribal nations, state governments, and regional transmission operators, held from April 2022 to March 2023.
DOE and multiple Atlantic states have already begun work on some of the first of the plan’s recommendations, which is the formation of an Offshore Wind Transmission State Collaborative to develop a shared vision on policy and approach to coordination for offshore transmission development.
The “Tribal Nation Technical Assistance Program for Offshore Wind Transmission” offers capacity building through educational resources, training and matching with technical experts and researchers at DOE’s national labs. To support tribal representation at key offshore wind transmission forums, the program will also provide funding to mitigate the financial burden of participation.
Visit the Grid Deployment Office and the Wind Energy Technologies Office for additional information.
