The successful auction for two offshore wind leases off North Carolina's southeastern coast marks a major step toward energy independence and affordable, clean energy for all, the N.C. Sierra Club said today.
The Biden-Harris administration announced yesterday the winning bidders for the two offshore leases, referred to collectively as Carolina Long Bay. The lease areas cover more than 110,000 acres and drew competitive bids from two companies totalling $315 million dollars.
"The significance of this auction cannot be overstated," said Erin Carey, Director of Coastal Programs for the N.C. Sierra Club. "At a time when our country is struggling with volatility and skyrocketing prices in fossil fuel supply and demand, it's more important than ever that we look toward a future of clean energy independence.
"We look forward to working with these two companies to help North Carolinians be fully involved in socially just, environmentally responsible, and economically advantageous offshore wind development in North Carolina."
TotalEnergies Renewables USA and Duke Energy Renewables Wind, the winners of the auction, will work with the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) and the state of North Carolina on developing the lease areas.
When fully operational, Carolina Long Bay is expected to provide 1.3 GW of clean energy to customers in North Carolina and South Carolina, enough to power up to 500,000 homes.
North Carolina's offshore wind areas are among the most promising in the country. Developing them will reduce the need for carbon-emitting fuels that drive climate change, which already has had a significant impact on the state's eastern region. The projects will also bring an estimated $4.3 billion of investments to the state, including high-quality union jobs and infrastructure, while improving the health of our state’s coastal ecosystems.
This is the second major offshore wind auction BOEM has held during the Biden presidency, after the New York Bight lease off the coast of New York State. The administration plans to auction leases for two more sites off the coast of North Carolina totaling 1.2 million acres, as part of its goal to build 30 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030.