- Lease area could support up to 1.6 gigawatts of potential
offshore wind energy by 2032.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 11, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC, a nonregulated
subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), has been named a provisional
winner of OCS-A 0546 lease area in the Carolina Long Bay offshore
wind auction.
The lease was one of two awarded as part of an Atlantic Outer
Continental Shelf renewable energy auction held by the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
"Securing this lease creates optionality for future offshore
wind if the North Carolina Utilities Commission determines it's
part of the least cost path to achieve 70% carbon reduction by 2030
and net-zero by 2050," said Stephen De
May, Duke Energy's North
Carolina president. "As we continue to assess the area and
project potential, we look forward to listening and learning from
diverse stakeholders and community members in the region to ensure
we are being thoughtful about all aspects of the potential
project."
The company will file its proposed carbon plan with the North
Carolina Utilities Commission on May
16, which includes multiple scenarios for the Commission to
consider as it finalizes its carbon plan by the end of 2022. Wind
energy is one of a number of carbon-free technologies Duke Energy
is evaluating to reduce carbon emissions on its system.
Lease area OCS-A 0546, which is east of Wilmington, could support up to 1.6 gigawatts
of potential offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 375,000
homes.
Subject to regulatory approval, the company could begin site
assessment and characterization activities in the OCS-A 0546 lease
area in 2023, which would keep the company on target for a
potential in-service project in the 2030-2032 time frame.
Over the next year, the team will develop a Site Assessment Plan
for BOEM's approval, which outlines a detailed proposal for
studying the project area to better understand the wind energy
resource and potential impacts. This is just the first of many
stages in the approximately 10-year development process.
Ultimately, construction could begin once BOEM approves a
Construction and Operations Plan and all appropriate federal and
state regulatory approvals are obtained.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 8.2 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000
megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6
million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition
to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural
gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric
generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050
net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions.
In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid
enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power
generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets,
photos, and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features
stories about people, innovations, community topics and
environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
Media contact: Jennifer
Garber
800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy