The US administration has proposed a new inspection fee structure for offshore wind projects as part of the US Department of the Interior's fiscal year 2027 budget request. Under the proposal, fees would apply to offshore wind facilities under construction or in operation on the US Outer Continental Shelf. The fees would be collected to cover inspection activities carried out by the Department of the Interior's proposed Marine Minerals Administration.
The proposed fee schedule includes a charge of USD 7,300 for an onshore visit to an offshore wind project's control centre, USD 72,800 for a physical inspection of a wind turbine generator or offshore substation, USD 15,400 for a visual inspection of each wind turbine generator or substation and USD 5,300 for an onshore pre-production inspection of equipment prior to offshore installation.
The fee proposal was included in the administration's fiscal year 2027 budget documents and has also been incorporated into the House Appropriations Committee's draft Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2027.
According to the proposed legislative language, inspection fees would be billed to offshore wind project lessees and operators following the completion of inspections during fiscal year 2027.
The proposal remains subject to congressional appropriations and legislative approval before it can take effect.
