Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the start of an ambitious initiative to capture the potential of wind energy off American coasts. As part of a planned six-year initiative the government will support up to four innovative offshore wind energy installations across the USA.
To support these new demonstration projects, the Energy Department will make available up to US$ 180 million over six years, subject to congressional appropriations, including an initial commitment of US$ 20 million in fiscal year 2012. The Department will focus this latest research and demonstration initiative on highly innovative technologies that will achieve large cost reductions over existing offshore wind technologies. The demonstrations will help address key challenges associated with installing utility-scale offshore wind turbines, connecting offshore turbines to the power grid, and navigating new permitting and approval processes. In addition to the new funding, the Department is continuing to work with partners across the federal government to implement a comprehensive offshore wind energy strategy, conduct resource assessments, and streamline siting and permitting. Applicants to the competitive solicitation are expected to form world-class consortia of energy project developers, equipment suppliers, research institutions and marine installation specialists. Energy Department funds may be used to cover up to 80 percent of a project’s design costs and 50 percent of the hardware and installation costs. Letters of intent are due on March 30 and applications are due on May 31, 2012.
To support these new demonstration projects, the Energy Department will make available up to US$ 180 million over six years, subject to congressional appropriations, including an initial commitment of US$ 20 million in fiscal year 2012. The Department will focus this latest research and demonstration initiative on highly innovative technologies that will achieve large cost reductions over existing offshore wind technologies. The demonstrations will help address key challenges associated with installing utility-scale offshore wind turbines, connecting offshore turbines to the power grid, and navigating new permitting and approval processes. In addition to the new funding, the Department is continuing to work with partners across the federal government to implement a comprehensive offshore wind energy strategy, conduct resource assessments, and streamline siting and permitting. Applicants to the competitive solicitation are expected to form world-class consortia of energy project developers, equipment suppliers, research institutions and marine installation specialists. Energy Department funds may be used to cover up to 80 percent of a project’s design costs and 50 percent of the hardware and installation costs. Letters of intent are due on March 30 and applications are due on May 31, 2012.