Bermuda launches procurement process for small-scale offshore windfarm

The aim of the process is to secure a sustainable and resilient energy source of up to 120 MW of clean power from wind turbines off Bermuda’s north coast.

The Regulatory Authority is inviting developers around the world to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the project. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 5 August 2025.

The Regulatory Authority has identified a potentially suitable site located in an area known as the Lagoon, around 9 km from shore north of St George’s Island. The site has an area of approximately 8 km² with potential to increase the available area. A point of connection at Tyne’s Bay has been identified. The water depth at the site is approximately 15 m. 

Bermuda’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) set an ambitious target of reaching 85% renewable energy generation by 2035. It was envisaged that the main contributor to achieving this target is developing offshore wind capacity that will become operational by 2030.

Starting in 2021, the British overseas territory commenced a series of activities designed to inform the design of the project. These included a prefeasibility study; stakeholder engagement and seabed assessments and wind measurement campaigns; an environmental scoping study; and a public engagement campaign.

This activity helped the authority to identify a suitable site for the proposed development, based on identified constraints and engagement with relevant stakeholders. It also helped to provide an understanding of technology and arrive at a concept design; obtain estimates of the potential yield based on publicly available information and of the economic performance of the windfarm; understand the environmental risks and mitigations; and understand the process of carrying out wind measurements and seabed assessments.

In addition, the authority carried out engagements with interested parties, such as government, environmental organisations, Bermuda’s Transmission, Distribution & Retail licensee, and the public.

It is anticipated a winning bidder to build the offshore windfarm could be identified by early 2028.