US Offshore Wind-Powered Grid Project Grinds Ahead

The Google-backed 'Atlantic Wind Connection' underwater power line project planned off the East Coast clears a regulatory obstacle

As overall efforts lag off the Jersey coast, a federal agency approves Atlantic Wind Connection’s transmission plans pending environmental impact statement. The U.S. Department of Interior has announced there was no competitive interest in using certain areas of the Outer Continental Shelf to build a backbone transmission system 12 to 15 miles off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, according to the 'NJ Spotlight'.

The declaration means the Atlantic Wind Connection (AWC) project, a system spanning about 300 miles, will avoid delays associated with an auction if there had been competitors seeking to secure the same right-of-way on the shelf. AWC officials say it could shave one year off the time it takes to develop the project.

With approval by the federal agency, the project can move forward with its permitting process, in contrast to what is happening in New Jersey where up to 11 separate developers have expressed interest in building offshore wind farms off the coast.

“This decision is an important step to advancing what could be the world’s first integrated electric transmission superhighway for offshore wind,” said Bob Mitchell, chief executive officer of AWC. Backers of the project say it is necessary to build a robust offshore wind industry off the coast.