Norwegian energy company Equinor has given the name Beacon Wind to a planned offshore wind farm off the US New England coast.
Beacon Wind will be located about 32km south of Massachusetts and 112km east of New York.
Wildlife surveys for the project kicked off last year and this summer more surveys will be undertaken to characterise conditions of the lease area, the company said.
These include looking at the geologic conditions, benthic habitat and checking for the presence of obstructions and sensitive resources.
Equinor Wind said its Boston-based team is actively engaged with commercial fishermen and their representatives to ensure that the development of Beacon Wind coexists successfully with traditional northeast maritime industries.
“Insights and feedback from the fishing industry are critical to the collaborative development of Beacon Wind,” the company said.
Equinor added that it is committed to similar engagement with all regional communities and industries with an interest in the project.
Equinor Wind US president Siri Espedal Kindem said: “Beacon conveys a sense of hope and guidance, qualities that we value very highly at Equinor, especially now.
“Equinor is making substantial progress, even during these challenging times, in strengthening our ability to deliver renewable energy and further advancing our ambitions in the US.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the offshore wind industry and this project builds on the region’s momentum to bring renewable energy to Northeast households.
“I look forward to advancing Equinor’s leadership in the US offshore wind industry through the development of Beacon Wind.”
Equinor secured the lease in early 2019 through the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management lease auction.
In December 2016, the company secured the lease for the site of the 816MW Empire Wind offshore wind development off New York and New Jersey.
