Gulf of Maine Floating Offshore Wind Research Array

The Governor’s Energy Office has submitted an application to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to lease a limited, 15.2-square-mile site in the Gulf of Maine for the nation’s first floating offshore wind research site in federal waters.

Research Array Site Map

With offshore wind energy representing a significant opportunity for Maine’s energy and economic future, the State has announced its intention to establish the country's first offshore floating wind research array in the Gulf of Maine.

The State is taking this action now because there is significant interest in commercial development of offshore renewable energy in the Gulf of Maine, and because it believes the proposed research array is the right, prudent step to take before commercial scale floating offshore wind development occurs in the Gulf of Maine. 

Research will allow the State, the fishing industry and many others to learn about potential impacts of floating offshore wind together, in order to ensure Maine develops this industry in a manner that capitalizes on our innovative technology and abundant resources, while protecting our interests, industries, environment and values.

The Governor’s Energy Office, in collaboration with other partners, has held a series of workshops to share information and engage with a variety of audiences about floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. This rapidly growing industry is a part of Maine’s renewable energy portfolio and economic development strategy, but there is a great deal to learn to help better inform our dialogue as Maine moves forward.

Webinars have covered a variety of topics including technology to regulatory process to economic opportunities to lessons learned from the UK. Please check back often as we update our offerings. Past webinars are recorded and available on our YouTube channel (link).

Initial Stakeholder Webinars

Dec. 15, 2020: Fisheries Webinar #1
Dec. 16, 2020: Fisheries Webinar #2
Dec. 17, 2020: General Interest Webinar #1
Dec. 22, 2020: Fisheries Webinar #3
Feb. 5, 2021: Stakeholder Planning and Knowledge Sharing Workshop

Presentations

Research Array Informational and Work Sessions 

Feb. 26, 2021: Building Our Understanding of the Current Offshore Wind Floating Technology
March 5, 2021: Wildlife Work Session #1
March 10, 2021: Fisheries Work Session #1
March 26, 2021: Gathering Insight into OSW Cable Laying and Maintenance
March 26, 2021: Wildlife Work Session #2
March 30, 2021: UK Lessons: -- Global Perspective on Offshore Wind Supply Chain Opportunities for Maine 

This webinar was hosted by the United Kingdom and Carbon Trust in partnership with the State of Maine and the Maine International Trade Center. Participants will hear from experts and participate in Q&A on how the UK has helped companies pivot to offshore wind, as well as supply chain lessons learned from Hywind (Scotland), the first floating offshore wind commercial installation in the world.

March 31, 2021: Fisheries Work Session #2
July 13, 2021: Joint Fisheries and Wildlife Work Session #3

The findings of these work sessions will be carried into the state’s broader offshore wind roadmap effort, which will have various working groups continuing to review these topics and more.

Siting Criteria

Offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine must be developed responsibly. The State is committed to work with fishing and other interests in considering where any offshore wind projects could be located and work to minimize any negative impacts.