Delaware Grants Grid Permits for US Wind’s 2 GW Offshore Project

December 11, 2024, by Adnan Memija

US Wind, owned by funds managed by Apollo Global Management and Renexia S.p.A., has been authorised by Delaware regulators to install the transmission infrastructure for its up to 2 GW Maryland offshore wind project.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has approved three permit applications from US Wind to connect its offshore wind power to the regional electrical grid in Sussex County, Delaware.

The three permits, the Subaqueous Lands Permit, the Wetlands Permit, and the Beach Preservation Coastal Construction Permit, are said to advance US Wind’s onshore development activities.

DNREC’s final approvals allow US Wind to land its power cables underneath 3R’s Beach parking lot in the Delaware Seashore State Park and route them under the Indian River Bay, eventually connecting to the regional electrical grid at Delmarva Power and Light’s Indian River substation in Dagsboro, Delaware.

“After a thorough, science-based review by DNREC’s experts, and feedback from the public, we are thrilled to have secured these final approvals to move forward on delivering massive amounts of clean energy to the region,” said Jeff Grybowski, US Wind CEO.

“Offshore wind will help lower electricity bills for the people of Delaware, satisfy the region’s critical need for more electricity, and improve air quality across the state, all while supporting good local jobs.”

DNREC permit approvals follow closely on the heels of advancements on the federal level. At the beginning of this month, the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approved the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the up to 2 GW Maryland offshore wind farm.

Additionally, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a Letter of Authorization to US Wind on 26 November, marking that agency’s final authorisation for US Wind’s construction in the federal lease area off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.