About TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay
Clean Energy. New Opportunity. Stronger Future.
Leading the Charge
Only a handful of U.S. states have the opportunity to harness offshore wind and the Carolinas have been determined as an ideal and productive location for an offshore wind project. With the establishment of TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay, the Carolinas will be an industry leader, leveraging renewable wind energy as an abundant and clean energy source to create high-paying jobs for local communities. It’s a win-win!
In Pursuit of Clean Energy
The Big Picture
Not only is offshore wind a sound financial investment for our region, but it is also a federal priority. The U.S. government is committed to generating 30 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy via offshore wind farms in the U.S. by 2030, generating $57 billion in economic activity.
With consistently strong winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean, the federal waters off the Eastern Seaboard have been identified as a key location for successful diversification and decarbonization of the U.S. energy sector.
How The Carolinas Fit In
Our Collective Role
In 2022, after over 10 years studying site suitability, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) conducted an offshore wind auction for two lease areas off the coast of Brunswick County, North Carolina. TotalEnergies, a global energy company, and Cinergy Corp., a direct non-regulated subsidiary of Duke Energy (Duke Energy), are the holders of the two lease areas.
TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is Lease OCS-A 0545.
22 Miles Offshore
86 sq. nautical-mile wind farm slated for early 2030s completion
1 GW+ of Generated Renewable Energy
Equivalent to the average annual energy demand of 300,000+ homes
TotalEnergies
Our Parent Company
TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a multi-energy company that produces and markets fuels, natural gas, renewables and electricity, and employs over 100,000 people worldwide.
Active in the U.S. since 1957, TotalEnergies has operations and projects in 34 states and is now the country’s fifth largest renewables player. Our reputation is grounded in our commitment to safety, community, and opportunity, as well as in our longstanding experience in managing large offshore wind projects.
In addition to the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay lease (OCS-A 0545), we secured a maritime lease to build an offshore wind farm off the coast of New York/New Jersey as part of investments to build a 25 GW portfolio of high-quality wind, solar and storage projects. This contributes to the objective that the United States accounts for at least a quarter of the Company’s global target of 100 MW by 2030.
Our Shared History
TotalEnergies has been actively developing and investing in energy initiatives in the United States for 65 years with a diverse portfolio in solar, battery storage, natural gas, and offshore wind. The company’s U.S. team consists of approximately 7,300 employees.
In the Carolinas, the company operates a SAFT Batteries factory in Valdese, NC, employing over 200 people. The facility has made small batteries for smart meters, medical and military applications since 1980. Since 1986, TotalEnergies has also owned and operated Total Lubricants USA, an industrial lubricant blending facility, in Rockingham, NC. This small-but-mighty facility employs 16 people and has invested $10 million for retooling over the past two years.
The local team behind TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is passionate about creating a clean energy economy that will bring new opportunities to our communities while building a path to a stronger future for us all. We are proud to partner with neighbors across the region to make renewable energy a priority in the Carolinas.
Together, we will make a positive impact today and for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an offshore wind farm?
An offshore wind farm generates electricity by harnessing the power of the wind via turbines located in bodies of water, typically in the ocean or large lakes. Unlike onshore wind farms, which are located on land, offshore wind farms take advantage of stronger and more consistent winds, which yield higher energy production.
Offshore wind turbines are typically installed on fixed or floating platforms anchored to the seabed or moored in place. The turbines for the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project will be fixed. The turbines are similar to those used onshore but larger and more robust for increased productivity and to withstand harsh weather conditions, respectively.
What are the benefits of offshore wind farms?
Offshore wind has the potential to produce significant amounts of renewable energy to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. The industry is growing worldwide and, in recent years, has been identified as a federal priority. North Carolina is one of a handful of states in the U.S. that has been awarded offshore wind leases.
What’s more, research has shown that man-made objects on the seafloor, like shipwrecks and purpose-built hard substrate – like that of an offshore wind farm – mimic the characteristics of a natural reef. These “artificial reefs” promote the establishment of thriving underwater habitats, particularly with respect to fishery species. Artificial reefs provide marine life with a reliable food source, offer a safe haven from predators, and improve biodiversity.
What is Carolina Long Bay?
Carolina Long Bay is the name of an offshore wind farm to be located in federal waters off the North Carolina coast.
North Carolina was identified more than a decade ago by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as presenting ideal coastal conditions for commercial wind energy development. The initiative was first announced in 2010 and, after years of public conversation and due diligence, in 2021 BOEM requested project bids for the specific stretch of ocean now known as Carolina Long Bay.
In May 2022, TotalEnergies won a bid (Lease OCS-A 0545) to develop an offshore wind farm at Carolina Long Bay. Today, TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a multi-energy company present in the U.S. since 1957 and with operations across 34 states.
While TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay represents our first offshore wind project in the Carolinas, we are by no means newcomers to this industry. For a century, we’ve been providing a mix of energy resources to communities across the globe. Currently, we have more than 11 gigawatts of offshore wind projects in development, under construction, or in production around the world.
Where will the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay offshore wind farm be located?
TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, is the leaseholder of OCS-A 0545. This stretch of ocean is located approximately 22 miles from its nearest point to land. The total lease area is 86 square nautical miles (114 square miles). The offshore wind farm is estimated to be operational in the early 2030s.
When will the project begin and when will it be complete?
The early development activities for the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project have already begun! Our parent company, TotalEnergies, became the leaseholder of OCS-A 0545 in May 2022. Since then, we have been hard at work engaging the right team members to implement the project and laying groundwork for collaborative partnerships with the community, the fishing industry, and with suppliers. The offshore wind farm is estimated to be operational in the early 2030s.
Will I see the wind farm from the shore?
TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay will be located approximately 22 miles off the coast of North Carolina. On a postcard-perfect Carolina day and depending where you are, the wind farm may be visible on a portion of the horizon.
Being able to see an area from a particular vantage point is called “viewshed.” The TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay team will be available to stakeholders interested in engaging on the topic of viewshed.
Is TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay interested in community partnerships?
Yes – very much so! We live and work here, and want to partner with our local communities to make the Carolina Long Bay project the win-win it is designed to be. We are committed to establishing and nurturing meaningful partnerships across the Carolinas, and we look forward to learning more about opportunities for collaboration. Please see our Community page for more information. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project related to your community, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Susan Munroe.
How can the fishing industry and maritime community get involved in the project?
The success of the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project and the partnership between the fishing and maritime communities require open and frequent communication. We want to hear from you! Please see our Fishing Industry Overview and FAQs pages for more information about the project and contact our team to learn how you can get involved in the development, implementation, and management of TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay.
Where can I learn about supplier and job opportunities with TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay?
The TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project will be a boon to the local supply chain and will introduce a diverse array of high-paying jobs. Please see our Suppliers Overview page and contact our Permitting and Development Director, Jen Banks, for more information about becoming a TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay supplier, vendor, or contractor.
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Keep in Touch!
TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is a world-class offshore wind project that will be developed in partnership with businesses and residents of North and South Carolina, for the benefit of the broader region. Stay on top of project news and progress, and reach out with questions.