Bidders Retreat From Southern Oregon Offshore Wind Project As Local Opposition Escalates

Auctions set to take place in October related to wind energy developments off the Oregon Coast by the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have come under the spotlight with at least one bidder withdrawing from the bidding process. Others may follow suit in the face of mounting local opposition.

Opposition To Southern Oregon Offshore Wind Auction

Southern Oregon community groups have raised concerns about the development of floating offshore wind energy generation stations. At least two counties- Coos and Curry counties are set to vote on whether to oppose offshore wind publicly or not.

In addition, the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians filed a lawsuit earlier this month claiming BOEM failed to consider the environmental, cultural, and economic effects of the proposed floating offshore wind stations.

A statement was issued by the group that said, “The Tribe has heard that there may only be one qualified bidder left in the BOEM bid process.”

The tribe indicated that their belief is that BOEM’s upcoming Oct. 15 auction should be canceled if there is only one bidder.

Elected officials, commercial fishing interests, and others have also requested that BOEM pause their process to enable them to gain a better understanding of the effects of wind energy.

It would also allow the State Wind Energy Roadmap to be completed. The tribe seeks to ensure that everyone has a better understanding of measures necessary to protect the interests of all, including the ocean itself, and maximize the benefits of wind energy to all Oregonians.

Bidders Withdraw From Southern Oregon Wind Project

Of the companies eligible to bid on two areas demarcated for wind energy development off the Oregon coast, three of five may not be participating. One eligible bidder, Mainstream Renewable Power Inc., has confirmed it will not be participating in the October 15 wind lease auctions. Two others have also indicated their intention to withdraw.

BOEM confirmed that the five companies are qualified to bid from a legal, technical, and financial perspective. The agency declined to confirm how many of the five eligible bidders are still in the running for the upcoming auction, citing confidentiality limitations.

No comment has been received from Gov. Tina Kotek’s office and BOEM has so far declined to comment on whether the auction would be delayed if only one bidder remains.