The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has announced that the first offshore wind energy lease auction for the Gulf of Maine will take place on 29 October 2024.

The auction will offer leases for eight areas on the outer continental shelf offshore Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, with the potential to generate 13GW of power, enough to supply 4.5 million homes.

The final sale notice (FSN) for the Gulf of Maine auction includes 120,000 fewer acres than the Proposed Sale Notice released earlier in 2024.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) stated that the reduction in acreage is a strategic decision to avoid impacting offshore fishing grounds, sensitive habitats and navigation routes.

The FSN outlines the auction's details, including provisions, conditions of the leases, bidding credits, criteria for evaluating bids, award procedures, appeal processes and lease execution.

It also contains several lease stipulations aimed at fostering a strong domestic supply chain for floating wind technology, creating quality union jobs, allowing for transmission planning, minimising habitat impacts and gathering data on protected marine species.

The FSN will be officially published in the Federal Register on 17 September 2024.

US DOI Secretary Deb Haaland stated: “The growing enthusiasm for the clean energy future is infectious.

“Today’s announcement – which builds on the execution of the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research lease in Maine last month – is the result of years of thoughtful coordination between our team, the Gulf of Maine states, industry and the Tribes and ocean users who share our interest in the health and longevity of our ocean.

“The Biden-Harris administration’s unwavering commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable offshore clean energy sector is strengthening our fight against the climate crisis and building a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come.”

In May 2024, the US DOI proposed offshore wind lease areas off Oregon and in the Gulf of Maine, potentially generating more than 18GW.