Hey Hawaii, asks Statoil: How about a floating wind farm?

November 17, 2016

Norwegian energy giant Statoil is mulling a floating wind farm in Hawaii, its first offshore foray in the U.S. since abandoning a test project off Maine three years ago.

Statoil Wind US nominated its interest in the entire Oahu call area, which spans about 485,000 acres and is split into two zones, after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a call to developers in June.

Hywind has proposed a floating wind farm for the Oahu area.

Statoil provided no project details.

Two other proponents have already submitted proposals to BOEM.

Progression Energy has planned a 400 MW project while Alpha Wind Energy proposes to build a pair of 408 MW wind farms. Both developers plan to install turbines on Principle Power’s semi-submersible WindFloat foundations.

BOEM has determined all three companies are legally, technically and financially qualified to hold an outer continental shelf renewable energy commercial lease.

The Oahu North area starts about seven nautical miles west of Kaena Point and Oahu South is located seven nautical miles south of Barbers Point.

The next step in the competitive lease process is area identification. BOEM is also preparing an environmental assessment, which will include information submitted during the scoping period.

If BOEM decides to proceed with an auction, it will then publish a proposed sale notice.

Hawaii has set a renewable energy goal of 100% by 2045.

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