| Work Detail |
Four developers have submitted their bids in response to the combined Connecticut-Massachusetts-Rhode Island offshore wind solicitation with the tenders totalling 6.8 GW. The proposals were made by Avangrid Renewables, Ørsted, SouthCoast Wind Energy, and Vineyard Offshore.
In October 2023, the three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on offshore wind procurement, although each held its own tender.
Massachusetts launched its fourth and largest offshore wind solicitation to date on 30 August 2023, seeking 3.6 GW of new generation capacity, and Rhode Island and Connecticut opened their offshore wind solicitation in October 2023 for 1.2 GW and 2 GW of offshore wind, respectively.
Massachusetts received bids from Avangrid Renewables, SouthCoast Wind Energy, and Vineyard Offshore in response to the region’s largest solicitation to date for up to 3,600 MW of offshore wind.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration will review bids over the coming months, and coordinate with Connecticut and Rhode Island to evaluate multi-state projects that would increase benefits for the region, lower costs, and enhance project viability,” said Elizabeth Mahony, Massachusetts Energy Resources Commissioner.
Final decisions on project evaluation are due by 7 August. The electric distribution companies would then execute long-term contracts with selected project(s) by 9 October, and resulting contracts would be filed with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for review and approval by 13 November.
Rhode Island Energy announced on 27 March that it will evaluate offshore wind proposals from four project developers which are Avangrid Renewables, Ørsted, SouthCoast Wind Energy, and Vineyard Offshore.
Evaluation of the proposals is expected to take approximately three months, at which time Rhode Island Energy will determine whether to move forward with contract negotiations.
Avangrid Submits Multiple Proposals
Iberdrola’s Avangrid Renewables submitted multiple offshore wind proposals, including the shovel-ready 791 MW New England Wind 1 (formerly known as Park City Wind) and the 1,080 MW New England Wind 2.
Located 30 miles (about 48 kilometres) south of Barnstable, Massachusetts, in the federal lease area OCS-A-0534, New England Wind 1 received a Final Environmental Impact Statement from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in February 2024, with a Record of Decision (ROD) anticipated in April and Construction and Operations Plan (COP) Approval expected in July this year.
The project construction could start as soon as next year and achieve commercial operations in 2029, said Avangrid. |
