“This approval is yet another milestone toward America’s energy security and clean energy future. As the largest planned offshore wind project in the nation, the CVOW project will power approximately 660,000 homes with renewable energy while unleashing increased economic growth and jobs in the Mid-Atlantic region and shipbuilding in the Midwest and Gulf Coast.

“This project demonstrates what offshore wind development can deliver onshore by attracting new investments in communities, building domestic supply chains, and revitalizing domestic ports. Additionally, CVOW will enhance the resilience and reliability of Virginia’s electric grid, ensuring a more secure and stable energy supply for residents and businesses while also improving local air quality.”

“Governor Murphy’s leadership is positioning New Jersey as a significant hub for offshore wind development. Today is a key step towards achieving the state’s goal of a 100 percent clean energy economy by 2035. Offshore wind will bring huge economic benefits to the state and region, creating jobs and new investment opportunities for manufacturing companies and suppliers to support the necessary infrastructure needed for this new and growing industry. It is also a significant commitment to developing the New Jersey Wind Port which will generate up to $500 million in new economic activity annually for the Garden State.  We look forward to working with New Jersey on these important procurements, as well as the previously awarded projects currently under development.”

Editor’s note:  

• Attentive Energy Two is a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corio Generation. 

• Leading Light Wind is a partnership between lead developer Invenergy and co-developer energyRe.

“We are pleased to see the Biden Administration propose an offshore wind lease sale for two areas in the Central Atlantic Wind Energy Area. Developing these Central Atlantic leases will be crucial to helping the mid-Atlantic states meet their emissions reduction targets. We look forward to working with federal, state, and other stakeholders as additional lease sales are considered in a second round.

“We appreciate the work of Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to ensure that offshore wind energy takes hold in Maryland to help promote economic growth, enhance energy security, and protect the environment. The commitment of BOEM to hold an additional lease sale in 2025 is an important step to building a robust offshore wind industry in the region.

“BOEM has made significant progress in advancing offshore wind, and the approval of the FEIS for the Sunrise Wind project further demonstrates this commitment. Once fully constructed, the Sunrise project will produce 924 megawatts that will power more than 320,000 homes with clean power.

“While we celebrate these milestones, ensuring a stable commercial framework through successful state offshore wind solicitations, inflation adjustments and workable tax credit guidance is critically important for building a viable and abundant clean energy future.”

“The Empire Wind project receiving a Record of Decision is an important development for the advancement of offshore wind domestically and renewable energy development in New York. Empire Wind will produce 2.1 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power over 1 million homes in New York. This project will stimulate the regional economy, revitalize ports, and create many new job opportunities – including new manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and operations jobs.

“We also are thankful for BOEM’s recent approval of the Construction and Operations Plan for the Revolution Wind project that will power 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

“The benefits derived from these projects moving forward cannot be overstated. Not only will they create a path for a cleaner and more sustainable future, but they will also boost local economies, create jobs, and attract investments across the region. We appreciate the work of agency leadership and the career staff involved in these thorough environmental reviews.”

“There is seven times more utility-scale energy storage capacity today compared to the end of 2020. Today’s Treasury guidance will continue that momentum, providing necessary certainty for this growing industry.

“The guidance is also welcome news for the offshore wind sector, providing long-awaited clarity on which components qualify for the ITC. This announcement is important for the 30 offshore wind projects currently in development, but more work remains. We look forward to partnering with the administration to finish the job.”

Image: U.S. Annual and Cumulative Clean Power Capacity Growth. Source: Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q3 2023

WASHINGTON DC, November 1 – The American Clean Power Association (ACP) today released the Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q3 2023, showing that the industry brought online 5,551 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale clean power capacity in the third quarter of 2023, enough to power 813,000 American homes. Third quarter installations increased 13% over the same period in 2022 and set a record for the strongest third quarter to date. Across the country, clean energy developers began commercial operations at 88 projects across 24 states.

The U.S. now has over 243 gigawatts (GW) of operating clean power, providing over 16% of U.S. electricity, enough electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 65 million homes.

“The demand for American clean energy is undeniable,” said ACP CEO Jason Grumet. “Even as we face a number of near-term challenges, these record-breaking numbers tell us that the U.S. clean energy sector continues to grow on a healthy, long-term trajectory.”

Grid-scale battery storage is being installed rapidly, having already exceeded total 2022 installations in just nine months. The industry connected 2,142 MW / 6,227 MWh of storage in the third quarter, bringing year-to-date installations to 4,374 MW / 13,444 MWh. Solar installed 3,121 MW in the quarter, outpacing the rate of installations in 2022 but slightly behind 2021 volumes. Just 288 MW of land-based wind capacity were commissioned in the third quarter, a 77% decline year-over-year. Year-to-date installations of solar, wind, and storage fell 6% as a slow first quarter and a sharp decrease in third quarter wind capacity additions contributed to the decline in year-to-date installation volumes.

Clean Power Pipeline: Projects Under Construction or in Advanced Development

While the full impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are yet to be determined, the IRA’s effect on the clean energy industry is evidenced by the growth in utility-scale project development pipeline. As of the end of Q3 2023, the project pipeline increased 10% year-over-year to 145,545 MW. There are currently 59,568 MW under construction and 85,977 MW in advanced development. The battery storage pipeline is strongest, having grown by an impressive 50% year-over-year, while the solar pipeline increased 8%.

Clean Power Procurement

Although quarterly installation levels surpassed 2022 levels in Q2 and Q3 of this year, power purchase agreement (PPA) announcements remain tepid amidst market headwinds. In the third quarter, 3.1 GW of PPAs were announced, a 55% drop from the same period in 2022.

Key Highlights | Q3 2023

• Installations: Developers began commercial operations at 88 projects across 24 states in Q3. The industry installed 5,551 MW of utility-scale clean energy in Q3, representing enough power for 813,000 American homes.
• Pipeline: Solar continues to dominate the project pipeline, accounting for 58% of clean power capacity currently under development. Battery storage and land-based wind each represent 15% of the pipeline, with offshore wind making up 12%.
• Sector Snapshot: Overall, solar led the quarter with 3,121 MW of installations, with battery and land-based wind following at 2,142 MW and 288 MW, respectively.
• Delays: Since the end of 2021, over 56 GW of clean power capacity has been delayed. This includes 16,639 MW of projects that were expected to come online during the first three quarters of 2023.
  • Accounting for 67% of all delays, solar projects appear to be most impacted.
  • On average, projects are delayed by 14 months.
• Power Purchase Agreements: Through Q3 of 2023, solar comprised 59% of all PPA announcements while land-based wind represented 32%.
  • Compared to Q3 of 2022, solar PPA announcements for this quarter decreased by 59%, wind by 21%, and battery storage by 55%.
• Progress to Date: Across the U.S., cumulative operating clean power capacity now stands at over 243 GW, accounting for 16% of total electricity generation.
  • California, a leader in clean energy, accounted for 1,900 MW (34% of clean power commissioned in Q3), while Texas and Arizona took the second and third spots, with 949 MW and 516 MW respectively.
  • Cumulatively in 2023, California leads the nation with 3,031 MW installed, followed by Texas, which added 2,381 MW to the grid and Florida, which added 1,578 MW.

A scaled-down version of the report is available to the public, with ACP membership granting access to the full Clean Power Quarterly Market Report | Q3 2023.

“Offshore wind is a remarkable source of clean energy with immense potential that will enhance energy security while reducing carbon emissions. The final record of decision approved today by BOEM and other federal agencies to advance the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project means jobs, economic benefits, and a cleaner environment. It’s a success story that needs repeating.  

“The CVOW project will bring an estimated 2,600 megawatts of clean energy capable of powering over 660,000 homes and provide numerous economic benefits to Virginia by creating new job opportunities, attracting new investments, developing supply chains and revitalizing domestic ports. Additionally, the project will enhance the resilience and reliability of Virginia’s energy grid, ensuring a more secure and stable energy supply for residents and businesses. We look forward to seeing CVOW move into the construction phase of development so the Mid-Atlantic region, and coastal Virginia in particular, can begin to capture the economic and environmental benefits of this project. 

“We appreciate the White House’s reiterated commitment to use every tool available to bring offshore wind benefits to American workers and communities. Only robust Treasury guidance on the IRA tax credits will fully deploy these benefits.”  

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 25, 2023 – A new report commissioned by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) confirms what other scientific bodies have underscored: Climate change is having a far greater impact on the ocean and whale habitats than development of energy projects.  

According to the study, Oceanographic Effects of Offshore Wind Structures and Their Potential Impacts on the North Atlantic Right Whale and Their Prey, hydrodynamic effects that occur naturally in the ocean and from climate change are likely to dwarf any possible effects that offshore wind turbines have on the flow of ocean water – and the resulting effects on the availability of prey for the North Atlantic right whale (NARW).  

ACP calls on federal regulators to use these findings to help clear permitting hurdles currently holding up several key offshore wind projects whose electrical generation is needed to meet state and federal clean energy and climate goals.  

The report, written by scientists with AKRF, Rutgers University and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and reviewed by independent experts, investigates an issue raised by federal regulators to determine what, if any, impacts offshore wind farms may have on plankton, a key microscopic food source for the NARW.  

After conducting a comprehensive review of the available scientific literature and holding an expert workshop for further discussion, the report authors concluded that natural and seasonal variation have, by far, a greater impact on ocean hydrodynamics than offshore wind development. Another major influence identified in the report is climate change, which the U.S. cannot hope to mitigate without a robust offshore wind industry. 

“The offshore wind industry is dedicated to building clean energy infrastructure in a responsible way while recognizing the urgency that climate change presents to get more of our energy from clean, renewable sources,” said Josh Kaplowitz, ACP’s Vice President for Offshore Wind. “We urge federal regulators to rely on well-documented science as they review pending offshore wind permits. The offshore wind industry looks forward to continued partnership with the scientific community and the federal government to advance this necessary energy source that can help reverse the effects of climate change.” 

The report found that offshore wind turbines may even have positive effects on the prey species that are important to the NARW by enhancing nutrient mixing in whale habitats and encouraging more prey production. 

The report’s findings are consistent with a recently released report prepared independently by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), which found evidence to suggest that offshore wind turbines could have either a positive, neutral, or negative effect on NARW prey availability.  

“Based on what is known, the impacts on ecosystems from development and operation of offshore wind may be difficult to distinguish from natural,” and human-caused variations in ocean hydrodynamics, according to the NASEM report. 

These two publications collectively indicate that there is not enough evidence to suggest that offshore wind turbines have a negative impact on NARW prey availability.  

“ACP is calling for these results to allay federal regulators’ concerns regarding several offshore wind projects off Southern New England, while bringing federal regulators into compliance with their obligation to act on the best available science and not the most pessimistic assumptions,” said Kaplowitz.  

ACP and the offshore wind industry support continued responsible development and future research and monitoring efforts, including funding reviews of existing data, developing plans to use offshore wind turbines as observation and data collection platforms, and continued engagement with, and financial support of, regional marine research initiatives. 

“The projects announced today represent $20 billion in new investments across the state and bring much-needed benefits to the environment, the economy and residents of New York. The awards include developer commitments to support disadvantaged communities that will pave the way for a cleaner future by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Despite recent moves to limit renewables in the state, today’s announcement shows that New York can enhance its renewable energy capacity and continue leading in the fight against climate change.

“These projects will create more than 8,000 jobs and spur the development of new supply chains, attracting businesses and fostering innovation that will stimulate economic growth, and enhance the overall competitiveness of the state.

“New York’s commitment to advancing these clean energy projects strengthens its energy security and ensures a stable and affordable energy supply for its residents and businesses.”