Offshore Wind Worldwide Regulatory Framework in Selected Countries 5th Edition 2024 - Flipbook - Page 365
Offshore Wind Worldwide 2024
B. Transmission Planning
Over the last few years, BOEM has used
lease conditions to address its transmission
planning concerns. For example, the Final
Sales Notices for the New York Bight and
Carolina project stated that BOEM may condition COP approval on the use of shared
infrastructure for transmission, including
the use of cable corridors, regional transmission systems, meshed systems, and other
mechanisms where appropriate. In an effort
to deconflict any potential conflicts before
engaging in costly survey work, BOEM has
started to include in its leases stipulations
requiring the seeking of input from Tribal
Nations and other ocean users prior to
proposing easements, and has included
new communication plan requirements for
lessees with Tribal Nations, fisheries, and
other government agencies.
State agencies have similarly begun pushing toward a shared infrastructure model
through the implementation of shared
infrastructure project requirements. These
requirements include meshed systems requirements and the incorporation of shared
transmission systems in COPs as a condition
for approval.
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C. Considerations for Siting
During its May 2023 Gulf of Maine Task Force
meeting, BOEM outlined several considerations and references used to evaluate
siting during the transmission planning
phase.57 BOEM’s considerations included
the OCSLA’s requirements of preventing
waste, conserving natural resources of the
outer continental shelf, and protecting the
environment, as well as BOEM’s interest in
minimizing conflict with other ocean users
and sensitive areas (e.g., fisheries, sand and
gravel resources, other cables, navigation).
BOEM also identified BOEM’s Offshore Wind
Cable Spacing Guidance, Marine Cadastre,
and ocean data portals as key references
used when evaluating siting.
As part of their coordinated offshore wind
transmission efforts, the Department of
Energy and BOEM anticipate releasing a
recommendations report in 2023 for offshore wind transmission development in
the Atlantic. This report will address: the
areas of transmission planning and development; economics and policy; and siting and
permitting.
57 https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Gange%20-%20Transmission%20-%20May%202023.pdf.
