Massachusetts to hit 1.6 GW offshore wind requirement with 804 MW from Mayflower Wind project

Source: By Robert Walton, Utility Dive • Posted: Thursday, October 31, 2019

Mayflower Wind Energy submitted four proposals in response to Massachusetts’ request, and the state ultimately selected the “Low Cost Energy” option. Officials have yet to release a final cost of the project because negotiations are ongoing.

In a statement, officials said the project was determined to “provide the greatest overall value to Massachusetts customers.” Mayflower Wind’s proposal offered “a more competitive price with greater economic development opportunities.”

Other Mayflower proposals included a smaller wind project, investment in Massachusetts’ ports, and an investment in a manufacturing facility to make wind towers.

Mayflower Wind’s selection “concludes a rigorous solicitation,” the state said, which was evaluated by DOER and Massachusetts utilities Eversource, National Grid and Unitil.

According to Mayflower, the project will reduce electricity rates $3.7 billion over the term of the contract while eliminating 1.7 million metric tons CO2 emissions annually.

The 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1 project won the first procurement under Massachusetts’ Energy Diversity Act of 2016. State officials said the combined energy output of the selected projects represents approximately 12% of the state’s annual energy demand.