BOEM Issues Call for Offshore Wind Energy Leasing off Guam’s Coast

In line with the current administration’s ambitious clean energy goals, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) for potential wind energy leasing off the coast of the U.S. Pacific Territory of Guam. The aim is to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030 and 15 GW of floating offshore wind energy capacity by 2035.

The Call for Information and Nominations will gather public feedback to identify suitable leasing areas. This initiative is a result of cooperation with the Government of Guam, which is striving to derive 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035 and 100 percent by 2045.

“Offshore wind development off Guam’s coast presents a crucial opportunity to expand clean energy, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs for Guam residents,” stated BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein.

BOEM has been actively working towards growing a sustainable clean energy economy to strengthen the nation’s power grid and create employment opportunities in various sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. The Department has already approved 11 commercial-scale offshore wind projects and conducted six offshore wind lease auctions since 2022, including sales off New York, the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of Maine coasts.

The Call for Information and Nominations will be published on Jan. 6, 2025, initiating a 90-day comment period until April 7, 2025. During this time, the public can provide input on site conditions, marine resources, and ocean uses in the Call Area. Wind energy companies can also nominate specific areas for leasing.

BOEM will engage with various stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples, federal agencies, and the Government of Guam, to address potential conflicts early in the process and determine areas with the least impact for offshore wind development. The Call focuses on a contiguous area around the island spanning approximately 2.1 million acres, with water depths ranging from 350 to 2200 meters.

If there is commercial interest in wind leasing off Guam, BOEM will proceed to identify Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) within the Call Area based on public feedback and nominations. Environmental reviews and consultations with federal agencies, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders will follow to propose competitive lease sales for the designated WEAs, with multiple opportunities for public input throughout the process.

For more information on the Guam Call and instructions for commenting, visit BOEM’s Guam webpage.