Maine, UK Shake Hands on Offshore Wind

The U.S. State of Maine and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in clean energy technologies, including offshore wind, and mutually achieve carbon neutrality by mid-century or sooner.

Under the five-year MOU, Maine and the UK have agreed to share resources and advance offshore wind and green hydrogen technology development to reduce emissions from heating and transportation.

In offshore wind, Maine and the UK will cooperate on evaluating impacts on fisheries and the marine environment, workforce development, and port infrastructure.

The MOU was signed by Maine Governor Janet Mills and the UK’s Minister of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the RT Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP on 9 December.

“The UK has led the way globally in using offshore wind to reduce emissions and we are pleased to be working with Governor Mills and her team to share our experience”, said UK Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng. “This fantastic partnership with Maine will help both the United States and the UK take another step towards our critical climate change goals”.

The MOU follows Governor Mills’ visit to Scotland from earlier this year, as part of a U.S. delegation invited by the UK government to learn more about offshore wind energy.

“The United Kingdom is showing how bold policy goals to create a vibrant, diversified clean energy industry can combat climate change and generate economic growth”, said Governor Janet Mills. “With this MoU, Maine is continuing to lead in the development of clean energy. By working with our colleagues in the UK to develop these industries, Maine can achieve its energy goals, create jobs, and preserve and protect our state for future generations as we fight climate change”.

Governor Janet Mills announced in November that Maine will apply for the first floating offshore wind research lease in the U.S. The project would comprise “a dozen or fewer” wind turbines supported by VolturnUS floating foundations designed by the University of Maine. The floating wind turbines would be located in an area some 32 to 64 kilometres off the coast.

The Gulf of Maine’s OCS has great potential for generating clean energy and economic opportunity for the state, as offshore wind investment in the U.S. is estimated to top USD 70 billion through 2030, Maine government said in a press release in November. By harnessing its wind resources, the state could reach its climate goals of using 80 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050, with the development of offshore wind also representing a significant opportunity for Maine’s economic recovery from COVID-19.