RWE Renewables Wins $1.1 Bn Bid in New York Bight Offshore Lease Auction

RWE Renewables, one of the globally leading companies in offshore wind announced its success in the New York Bight offshore lease auction in the U.S. Through the joint venture Bight Wind LLC, RWE secured area OCS-A 0539 with a winning bid of $1.1 billion.

The awarded seabed has the potential to host 3 gigawatts (MW) of capacity, enough to power 1.1 million U.S. homes. The project is expected to be in operation toward the end of the decade.

The auction consisted of six leases, a record in the U.S. for the most leases available in a single auction. Under the auction, format bidders were limited to winning one lease area only.

A winning bid provides the rights to develop the lease area and to participate in upcoming New York state offtake auctions, the first of which is expected later this year.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO Offshore Wind of RWE Renewables: "Winning a lease in the New York auction is a significant move for us as it marks RWE's entry into the U.S. offshore wind market, one of our key strategic markets. Our success in this auction means an important step on the road to tripling our offshore wind capacity to 8 gigawatts by 2030, as part of our 'Growing Green' growth and investment programme. Now we're looking forward to developing our first offshore wind project in the U.S. and to contribute to the region's offshore build-out targets."

"We are thrilled to be joining the U.S. offshore wind industry," said Sam Eaton, RWE Senior Vice President, Offshore Development Americas. "This is an important first step to building our long-term offshore wind business in the U.S. I look forward to working with our great team, our partners and vendors, and the local communities to support the region's climate goals by producing affordable, clean energy while creating good local jobs and private investment in New York and New Jersey."