OWC launches regulatory advisory service for US offshore wind developments
OWC is launching an advisory service to help developers of US offshore wind farms successfully navigate the regulatory frameworks and permitting/approval processes at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure an efficient approach to project approval.
To deliver the regulatory and permitting advisory service, OWC has a highly experienced team with a proven history of successfully obtaining approvals for offshore infrastructure and energy projects.
OWC’s regulatory team will guide developers through critical planning and outreach to execute project-specific strategies that focus on key elements of successful permitting, including robust pre-planning and consultations.
“We are not lobbyists or people with a generic understanding of regulatory frameworks. We provide extensive engineering and technical experience from offshore wind farm developments, coupled with understanding the specific regulatory framework that developers need to adhere to. This facilitates a service that considers all technical project requirements and constraints when defining an appropriate project permitting scope and execution strategy,” says John MacAskill, business development director at OWC. “This local experience is supported by a global team of offshore wind experts ensuring that the specific nature of offshore wind development and project realisation is part of the solution we provide clients.”
As the US offshore wind market drives forward, the industry still faces several challenges with respect to the regulatory and permitting requirements. Projects will need to pay special attention to detail and process when it comes to individual state and regional planning and permitting.
In addition, several recent directives have been put forth to reduce both the amount of information needed to support the review and the timelines themselves. Developers will also need to monitor for potential bottlenecks at agency level as a consequence of increased demand for agency resources and staff from other projects.
“Simply explained, we will help developers understand how these processes may affect project schedules” says Adrienne Fink, who heads up OWC’s office in Boston, USA . “On the other side, we will help improve regulators comfort level in making well-informed assessments and providing necessary approvals.”
With the best possible planning and forward thinking approach, developers can ensure that agency reviews go smoothly by providing the right level of detail to facilitate the review and the desired decision, but also reduce redundancy or requests for additional information.
“Having the support of an experienced US regulatory team to guide a developer through the process and advocate for appropriate levels of review and mitigation will be an important part to the industry’s continued success as we build confidence and trust with regulators. OWC looks forward to its involvement and contributions to this exciting industry. Building on our regulatory and permitting team in Taiwan, another renewables emerging market, it is OWC’s objective to offer expert regulatory advisory specialising in all emerging markets,” Fink adds.
Investors and financial media
Kim Boman, CFO, Aqualis ASA
Telephone: +47 959 63 912
Email: [email protected]
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Endre Johansen, Corporate Communications AS
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About Aqualis ASA
Aqualis ASA (OSE: Aqua) is a public company that, through its subsidiaries and associates, offers energy consultancy services to the offshore oil, gas and renewables sectors globally. The group employs experienced consultants across 19 offices in 15 countries worldwide. Aqualis ASA operates under two different brands: Aqualis Offshore and Offshore Wind Consultants. Aqualis Offshore is a specialised offshore marine and engineering consultancy firm, focusing on the shallow and deep-water offshore segments of the oil and gas industry. Offshore Wind Consultants is a globally focused consultancy providing independent services to the offshore renewables industry.