Today, Avangrid Renewables LLC confirmed that the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for its Kitty Hawk North project. Accordingly, the NOI would prepare an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the project, the subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. said in a media release.
Read more of our news content, here; ACP releases first Clean Power Annual report; renewables on the rise
Moreover, the NOI initiates a 30-day public comment period to define the scope of the EIS, the major permitting study required for project approval.
Reception
In this sense, Alejandro de Hoz, President and CEO of Avangrid Renewables, said in a statement; “Indeed, Kitty Hawk builds on our successful development of over 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind projects in New England. Therefore, it can transform the energy mix of Virginia and North Carolina while delivering a triple-win; specifically, for the environment, coastal communities, and the region’s economy.”
Thus, “we look forward to continuing our work with state and local leaders, BOEM, and communities,” continued de Hoz. Particularly “to begin the formal environmental review and ultimately deliver this transformational project.”
About the Kitty Hawk North wind project
Worth noting, Kitty Hawk North consists of nearly 50,000 acres located over 27 miles off the coast of the Outer Banks, due east of Corolla, N.C. Notably, it will have a capacity of at least 800 megawatts (M.W.).
Also, when the entire 122,405 acres of Kitty Hawk WEA is developed, it could support a total generation capacity of up to 2,500 MW; indeed, enough to power 700,000 homes with clean energy.
In this regard, said Bill White, head of offshore wind for Avangrid Renewables, also commented; “Kitty Hawk North is a game-changer for the mid-Atlantic. Not only can this project help Virginia and North Carolina meet their vital clean energy goals with cost-effective power; but Kitty Hawk will help a new industry take flight in this region and create thousands of quality jobs.”
Benefits of the Project – Avangrid Renewables
As Avangrid Renewables notes in a media release, Kitty Hawk North is a historical project for Virginia and North Carolina as it can; first support ambitious clean energy targets such as those inside the Virginia Clean Economy Act (5,200 MW); and also N.C. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order establishing offshore wind targets (8,000 MW).
Second, it could generate over $2 billion of economic impact between 2021 and 2030 in Virginia and North Carolina. Third, it might create or support nearly a thousand annual jobs in Virginia and North Carolina; both through construction and once the project is operational.
Lastly, and it is worth noting, Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind established a local office at 249 Central Park Avenue in Virginia Beach. Accordingly, this office supports ongoing project development, community outreach, and workforce development activities.
