Rhode Island's Deepwater Wind Big Winner in Federal Auction

Rhode Island's Deepwater Wind Big Winner in Federal Auction

Rhode Island's own Deepwater Wind was the big winner in the first round of federal auctions for key leases for offshore wind projects. For the two leases Deepwater won the bidding for just over $3.8 million.

“Now that we have identified Deepwater Wind as the provisional winner of this auction, we look forward to executing the lease and reviewing their Site Assessment Plan for the lease area,” said Director Tommy Beaudreau of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

“This is an enormous step forward for the industry. This is the best site for offshore wind in the United States, bar none,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. “Our Deepwater Wind Energy Center Project will produce clean power and jobs for an entire region. It’s very exciting.”

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Deepwater was provisional winner of Wednesday's lease sale, which auctioned two leases for a Wind Energy Area of 164,750 acres offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts for wind energy development. When built, these areas could generate enough combined energy to power more than one million homes. 

Support by Chafee and Patrick

“We commend Governors Chafee and Patrick and the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Congressional delegations for their shared commitment to advancing offshore wind development and the nation’s energy independence,” Grybowski said.

“When you think about the enormous energy potential that Atlantic wind holds, this is a major milestone for our nation,” said Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell. “A lot of collaboration and thoughtful planning went into getting to this point, and we’ll continue to employ that approach as we move forward up and down the coast to ensure that offshore wind energy is realized in the right way and in the right places. Offshore wind is an exciting new frontier that will help keep America competitive, and expand domestic energy production, all without increasing carbon pollution.” 

Deepwater Wind is the State of Rhode Island’s preferred developer for offshore wind after a competitive process in 2008, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acknowledged that selection.