Offshore energy is an emerging facet of Delaware’s blue economy, with offshore wind leading the way in providing clean power, economic investment and job creation. Projects like US Wind’s MarWin and Ørsted’s Skipjack are expected to deliver over a gigawatt of power. Newer technologies and forms of marine energy being explored in other parts of the world, such as tidal and wave power, may have potential to contribute to the state’s renewable energy portfolio. Together, these offshore energy sources contribute to climate resilience and a more sustainable coastal economy.

Offshore Wind

Offshore wind energy is a clean, renewable power source with strong potential off the U.S. East Coast due to steady wind speeds, shallow waters and proximity to large population centers. Large turbines are installed in the ocean to capture wind energy, which is then delivered to shore through undersea cables.

Oversight of these projects is shared by federal agencies like the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and state agencies such as Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

Several offshore wind lease areas are located off Delaware’s coast, including sites leased for development by GSOE I (OCS-A 0482), Skipjack Offshore Energy (OCS-A 0519), US Wind Inc. (OCS-A 0490) and Equinor Wind US LLC (OCS-A 0557).

These projects play a key role in advancing the region’s transition to renewable energy.

Spatial Extent: Lease areas OCS-A 0482 and OCS-A 0519 are located approximately 11 miles due east from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Lease area OCS-A 0490 is located 10 nautical miles (nm) offshore Ocean City, Maryland. Lease area OCS-A 0557 is approximately 26 nm from Delaware Bay.

Temporal Pattern: Year round

Learn more about offshore wind in the Baseline Characterization of Uses and Resources Final Report

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