Maryland has cleared a key air quality permit for US Wind’s 2GW offshore wind farm, in a significant boost for clean energy. This accomplishment paves the way for progress on the massive Maryland offshore wind project, to be sited some ten nautical miles off the coast of Worcester County. As one of the largest offshore wind projects in the United States, the project further solidifies the Mid-Atlantic state’s commitment to clean and renewable energy and underscores U.S. Wind company’s leadership in promoting the state’s clean energy evolution.
Key Permit Granted For 2 Gigawatts Offshore Wind Farm
On June 6, 2025, the MD Department of the Environment (MDE) issued a final prevention of significant deterioration permit-to-construct and new source review permit-to-construct. These approvals allow for:
- As many as 121 wind turbine generators
- Four offshore substations (OSS)
- One meteorological tower
Maryland Offshore Wind Farm Glimpse
Developer: US Wind, Inc.
Location: ~10 nautical miles offshore Worcester County, the ocean city (Outer Continental Shelf)
Components:
- Up to 121 wind turbines
- Up to 4 offshore substations
- 1 meteorological tower
Applications to get the permits filed
Date Submitted: November 18, 2023 (electronic), November 25, 2023 (hard copies of submission Only)
Permit Types:
- Permit to Construct for Air Quality
- Amendment NSR Approval
- Prevention of Significant Deterioration Approved
Timeline of Public Involvement
- Briefing: 13th of June 2024
- A public hearing was held on January 9, 2025
- Comment Period: January 13, → March 17, 890 2025
Final Decision (June 6, 2025)
The MDE has concluded that the project will not comply with the state’s air pollution control requirements.
MDE issued:
- Permit-to-Construct
- NSR Approval
- PSD Approval
What This Means
- U.S. Wind has passed a significant regulatory milestone for construction.
- Legal challenges remain possible but would need to happen in short order.
- This approval furthers the state’s objective of developing clean offshore wind energy as part of a balanced energy portfolio to achieve its long term renewable energy goals.
Public Engagement and Regulatory Review
Input of the Community into the Review process
This ocean city’s permitting process was subject to numerous opportunities for public engagement. Informational Meeting: June 2024 Public Hearing: January 2025 According to this extended comment period is set to end on March 17, 2025.
The MDE reviewed all comments and determined that the proposed project will meet all applicable air pollution control regulation. This decision will enable U.S Wind to proceed the project development.
Next on Construction and Oversight
Although the permit is the go-ahead for construction, the project is still vulnerable to any judicial or administrative appeals. Eligible parties may file a petition for review with the EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board or seek judicial review in the ocean city circuit court by July 14, 2025.
A Milestone Maryland’s Renewable Energy Future
Maryland Offshore Wind Farm to Provide Clean Power on Large Scale
The 2GW of the offshore wind farm from U.S Wind will generate clean energy to supply hundreds of thousands of homes throughout Maryland and neighboring states. It furthers the state’s clean energy goals established under the Offshore Wind Energy Act and helps toward extreme carbon reductions on a national level.
Economic and Environmental Advantages
- This off shore wind project will also produce:
- Local employment during construction and ongoing operations
- Supply chain opportunities for state businesses
- Reduction of carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels
- The project is expected to generate approximately 2,680 renewable energy jobs annually during the seven year project build and construction phase progression, making a substantial local economic impact.
About US Wind
This US company, founded in 2011, is a top developer of offshore wind energy and at the forefront of MD’s clean energy transformation. In 2014, it secured an 80,000-acre federal lease area off the coast of the state capable of generating up to 1,800 MW of offshore wind power – or enough power for more than 600,000 homes on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Beyond energy generation, the wind farm is investing in the long-term infrastructure of the state in the Sparrows Point Steel—MD’s first offshore wind supply chain manufacturing facility—at the legendary Bethlehem Steel site in Baltimore County. The facility will be a hub for the region’s emerging offshore wind industry.
It is co-owned by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, a top American investment company and Renexia SpA, a subsidiary of an Italian industrial group with global experience in renewable energy, Toto Holding SpA.
Conclusion: A Breakthrough For US Wind and Maryland
Today’s issuance of this critical air quality permit is more than a milestone for U.S Wind —it embodies state’s leadership in transitioning to clean energy. Supported by robust regulation and commitment from the public, the 2GW project is expected to be an iconic US renewable energy infrastructure project.