WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that the Maine Aqua Ventus I pilot offshore wind project, designed by a University of Maine-led consortium, has been selected as an alternate in the Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Project program and that the DOE will continue to invest in the project to help it achieve one hundred percent design completion.

After the announcement, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King released the following statement:

“While we are disappointed that the University’s application was not selected for a full award at this point, we are very encouraged that, with this $3 million investment, the Department of Energy clearly recognizes the project’s enormous potential. DOE is pledging to engage in an R&D partnership and continue its investment in the University’s innovative deepwater, offshore wind technology. One hundred percent design completion is no mere consolation prize, but rather an extraordinary investment and proof that the DOE knows what we have long known: that the Gulf of Maine is a tremendous resource for wind energy that could provide an affordable source of renewable energy directly to the country’s population centers on the East Coast while creating thousands of new jobs in Maine. In addition, it would diversify Maine’s electricity supply.

“We will continue to support the University as it seeks financing, whether through the Department of Energy or other venues, and we look forward to helping Maine maintain its lead in deepwater, offshore wind power development and innovation.”

For more information about the Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration Project Program, including the University of Maine’s proposal, click HERE.

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