March 10

South Carolina has taken a significant step to determine the feasibility of developing an offshore wind energy project.

Santee Cooper, the state-owned electric and water utility, Coastal Carolina University and the South Carolina Energy Office have launched weather buoys to measure the wind off the coast of Georgetown and Little River, S.C. Six buoys and two land-based stations will measure wind speed, direction and frequency as far as six miles from the coast.

Coastal Carolina University researchers will cork with North Carolina State University to evaluate the data to determine the best location for Santee Cooper to install an offshore platform in about six months.

In all, the projects will gather data for at least the next 18 months.

"Santee Cooper believes that all reasonable renewable energy initiatives must be explored, and wind energy is a promising opportunity for South Carolina," said Lonnie Carter, president and CEO of Moncks Corner, S.C.-based Santee Cooper.

Contact Waste & Recycling News reporter Joe Truini at 330-865-6166 or jtruini@crain.com

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