The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has given the go ahead to Principle Power for the wind energy project offshore Coos Bay, Oregon, having determined that there was no other competitive interest in the area.
Principle Power is required to submit a formal plan for their 30 MW pilot project, which would use floating wind turbines.
When developed, this project would be the first of its kind in the USA. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said: “This pioneering project would demonstrate floating wind turbine technology capable of tapping the rich wind energy resources in deep waters offshore Oregon.”
The company plans to deploy five floating “WindFloat” units with a total combined capacity of 30MW, 16 miles off Coos Bay in water depths of around 1,400 feet.
After Principle Power submits the plan, BOEM will complete a National Environmental Policy Act analysis, which includes opportunity for public comment, before making any final decision on lease issuance and plan approval.
Around two years ago, Principle Power together with Energias de Portugal (EDP) deployed a full-scale 2-megawatt (MW) WindFloat off the coast of Agucadoura, Portugal, which was the first offshore wind deployment worldwide that did not require the use of any heavy lift equipment offshore.
Offshore WIND staff, February 6, 2014; Image: principlepower