Regulators in Massachusetts and Rhode Island last week made three offshore wind project contract awards totaling 2,878 megawatts (MW) of new offshore wind capacity.
Massachusetts chose to contract for 1,087 MW out of the 1,287 MW available from the SouthCoast Wind multistate project for the full 791 MW from Avangrid Inc.’s New England Wind 1 project, and up to 800 MW from the 1,200 MW Vineyard Wind 2 project.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island will procure the remaining 200 MW from SouthCoast Wind’s multi-state project.
“The offshore wind solicitation awards by Massachusetts and Rhode Island demonstrate the New England states’ strong commitment to this new, clean source of electricity, and mark the first time that states have worked together on awarding offshore wind power contracts,” said Anne Reynolds, vice president for offshore wind at the American Clean Power Association.
Reynolds added that the states’ governors recognize that surging electricity demand requires investment in offshore wind power to ensure grid reliability and energy independence and that the projects will continue to revitalize New England ports and stimulate job creation.
“The renewable energy that will flow from today’s announcement will grow New England’s green economy and keep the region on track to meet its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Francis Pullaro, president of RENEW Northeast.
Avangrid’s 791 MW award in the multi-state regional offshore wind solicitation will go toward its New England Wind 1 project.
“We are grateful to Gov. Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, and the leadership of the entire administration in advancing energy reliability and climate goals at this historic moment,” said Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra. “New England Wind 1 is positioned to deliver an urgent energy, climate, and economic solution to Massachusetts, and we look forward to working with the Commonwealth, tribal nations, organized labor, and our community partners moving forward.”
New England Wind 1 is an offshore wind development located in a federal lease area roughly 30 miles south of Barnstable, Mass., and making landfall under the Craigville Beach parking lot in Barnstable.
Once completed, the project will produce enough electricity to power approximately 400,000 homes and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 300,000 gasoline-based cars off the road annually, according to Avangrid.
The project will create more than 4,400 full-time equivalent jobs and bring in $3 billion of local investment, including a new world class marshaling port in Salem, Mass., and a new offshore wind manufacturing facility in New Bedford, Mass.
If a power purchase agreement is signed and approved, then the project can begin construction in 2025, with a majority of investment taking place between 2027-2029, said Avangrid, and will reach full commercial operation in 2029.
The project will border VW1, the nation’s first large-scale offshore wind project currently under construction 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, according to Avangrid, which has a renewable portfolio that includes more than 75 projects spread across 22 states.
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