The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved the construction and operations plan (COP) for the 2-GW Maryland Offshore Wind Project, granting US Wind the final federal permit needed to begin construction. This approval clears the path for the installation of over 100 wind turbines off the Maryland and Delaware coasts and is expected to support the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, according to the Oceantic Network, a trade association for the offshore wind industry.

In addition, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Record of Decision finalizing environmental measures that will apply to future wind energy projects in New York and New Jersey.

Offshore wind advocates view the approval of the Maryland project as a positive step for the industry. "Maryland Offshore Wind will create American jobs by harnessing a strong, local offshore wind supply chain," said Liz Burdock, founder and CEO of the Oceantic Network. “U.S. Wind has advanced plans to bring steel fabrication back to the old Bethlehem Steel facility in Dundalk, and the project will support a variety of other industries throughout its life cycle.”

US Wind has spent over four years securing the necessary permits for the project. The company also received a Letter of Authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service on November 26. US Wind leased 80,000 acres off Maryland’s coast in 2014.

The COP covers the construction of up to 114 wind turbines, four offshore substations, a meteorological tower, and subsea transmission cables connecting to Sussex County, Delaware. The project is located about 10 nautical miles from Ocean City, Maryland. US Wind is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other state agencies to secure additional permits for nearshore activities. A groundbreaking is targeted for 2026, with offshore construction expected to begin in 2028.

In July, US Wind submitted a rebid application with the Maryland Public Service Commission for 1,710 MW of offshore wind, planned in phases. The first phase (405 MW) would be operational by the end of 2028, with the remaining capacity completed by 2030. The company expects to supply Maryland with nearly 7 million MWh annually.

“[BOEM’s] approval enables Maryland to meet growing demand for electricity, drive economic growth and job creation, and bolster American energy security,” said Anne Reynolds, vice president for offshore wind at American Clean Power. “The project will generate substantial economic investment in the state, including the establishment of a new domestic manufacturing facility at Sparrows Point, paired with new, high-quality American jobs, to produce critical steel components for the projects.”

The Sparrows Point facility, located on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel mill, will use American steel and skilled workers to manufacture components for the wind energy industry. Bethlehem Steel, once the largest steel mill in the world, played a key role in producing materials for Liberty ships and the Empire State Building.

Earlier this week, BOEM finalized a Record of Decision outlining environmental measures for future offshore wind projects in New York and New Jersey. The 58 measures will help mitigate environmental impacts during the construction and operation of wind farms in these areas. Additionally, the EPA opened a public comment period for air quality permits related to the New England Wind 1 and 2 projects.