After years of development, Maine’s pioneering floating offshore wind project has received final federal approval, positioning the Pine Tree State at the forefront of renewable energy innovation in the United States.
The Maine Aqua Ventus project, a collaboration between the University of Maine and private energy partners, will deploy a full-scale floating wind turbine in the Gulf of Maine, approximately 14 miles off the coast near Monhegan Island.
Unlike conventional offshore wind farms that are fixed to the seabed, the Maine project uses patented concrete floating platforms developed at the University of Maine. The technology allows wind turbines to be placed in deeper waters where winds are stronger and more consistent.
“This approval represents a major milestone for renewable energy in Maine and nationwide,” said Governor Janet Mills at the announcement ceremony in Augusta. “Maine has the deepest waters near its shores on the Eastern Seaboard, and this innovative technology will allow us to harness that potential.”
The project, which received $100 million in federal funding, will generate enough electricity to power approximately 10,000 homes while creating an estimated 350 jobs during construction and ongoing operational positions.
Fishing industry representatives, who initially expressed concerns about potential impacts on traditional fishing grounds, have been closely involved in the planning process.
“We’ve worked hard to address the concerns of Maine’s fishing communities,” said Dr. Habib Dagher, executive director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, which developed the floating platform technology. “The final design incorporates modifications based on their feedback to minimize disruption to fishing activities.”
Environmental studies conducted over five years found minimal impact on bird and marine mammal populations. The project includes comprehensive monitoring programs to track any environmental effects once operational.
Supporters see the Aqua Ventus project as just the beginning. The Gulf of Maine has the potential to generate 156 gigawatts of clean energy, according to National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates — enough to power the entire New England region.
“Maine has the opportunity to become a global leader in floating offshore wind technology,” Dagher said. “This demonstration project is the first step toward building a new clean energy industry that could transform our state’s economy.”
Construction is expected to begin next spring, with the turbine operational by late 2024.
