(New York) Bidding for the operation of six offshore wind farm lots off the New Jersey and New York coasts started at $48.8 million on Friday, reflecting a significant interest in this form of energy promoted by the Biden administration.
Posted at 4:46 p.m.
Six areas representing nearly 2,000 square kilometers (488,000 acres) in a triangular area called New York Bight were proposed, making it the largest area ever proposed at one time in the United States.
The amounts offered by the companies for the right to exploit these areas and install turbines there quickly exceeded the sums paid during previous similar operations in the United States.
When the offshore areas were last auctioned in 2018, lots went for around $1,040 per acre. They have this time been awarded at nearly $9,000 per acre after three days and 64 rounds.
The largest lot was won by Bight Wind Holdings for $1.1 billion. The other five companies are Attentive Energy, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Bight, OW Ocean Winds East, Invenergy Wind Offshore and Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind.
The operation “clearly demonstrates one thing: the enthusiasm for the clean energy economy is undeniable and will continue,” Interior Minister Deb Haaland said in a statement.
As part of its fight against climate change, the Biden administration pledged shortly after its inauguration to create the conditions to produce 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030.
The lots awarded on Friday should be able to produce up to 7 gigawatts, enough to power nearly 2 million homes.
The companies that won the auctions have undertaken to respect several conditions, including the employment of unionized workers and compliance with environmental rules.
They will also have to engage in dialogue with the Native American tribes related to these areas, with the fishermen and the communities that may be affected by the installation of wind turbines.