Launched in 2005, the joint study examined in detail a variety of factors and concluded with a recommendation that Southern Company continue to pursue the potential development of wind energy resources in the state’s coastal waters, although high costs and regulatory issues still need to be resolved.
Sam Shelton, Strategic Energy Institute research programme director said: “We believe that given the available wind resources and the extent of the shallow water continental shelf there is considerable ultimate potential for wind power generation off the coast of Georgia.”
The Department of Interior Minerals Management Service (MMS) has jurisdiction over alternative energy-related projects on the outer continental shelf, including wind power developments, and is currently outlining the permitting requirements which should be completed in late 2008.
Though the southeast in general does not have sufficient wind speeds to effectively support wind power generation, the conditions are better starting about 8 km off the Georgia coast, the study said. Among other key findings, the water in the area is relatively shallow and there are existing electrical substations on Jekyll Island and Tybee Island.
