BOEM Seeks Input on Offshore Wind Leasing Near Guam

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a call for information and nominations regarding potential wind energy leasing off the coast of Guam.

This initiative aims to gather public input to help identify suitable leasing areas. Guam has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 50% of its electricity to come from renewable sources by 2035 and 100% by 2045.

The 90-day comment period begins today and runs through April 7. During this time, the public is invited to share information about site conditions, marine ecosystems, and ocean uses in and around the proposed area. Simultaneously, wind energy developers can nominate specific sites for potential leasing.

The proposed area for consideration spans approximately 8,500 square kilometers, starting 5.5 kilometers from the island’s coast, with water depths ranging from 350 to 2,200 meters.

Throughout the comment period, BOEM will consult with Indigenous communities, stakeholder organizations, ocean users, federal agencies, the Government of Guam, and other interested parties to identify and mitigate potential conflicts early in the process.

Should BOEM receive expressions of commercial interest, the next step will be to designate specific wind energy areas (WEAs) within the larger call area. These designations will undergo environmental reviews before BOEM considers competitive lease sales for the identified regions.