Massachusetts seeks up to 1.6 GW in 3rd offshore wind tender

Massachusetts has opened its third offshore wind solicitation and this time it seeks to award 1,600 MW or twice the capacity it contracted in the previous rounds.

The state’s Department of Energy Resources released a request for proposals (RFP) on Friday, saying that local distribution companies will seek to procure at least 400 MW and up to 1,600 MW of projects. The individual proposals can range from 200 MW to 1,600 MW and the bidding price should not exceed USD 77.76 (EUR 64.79) per MWh.

Confidential bids will be accepted by September 16, while the public proposal submission deadline is September 23. Winners will be announced on December 17, with the execution of long-term contracts planned to occur on March 28, 2022.

The competitive tender comes after in late March governor Charlie Baker signed climate change legislation that allows Massachusetts to procure an additional 2,400 MW of offshore wind by 2027, thus lifting the state's required authorisation by 2027 to 4,000 MW. This supports a goal for achieving net-zero emissions in 2050.

In its first two offshore solicitations, Massachusetts selected the Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind proposals, with a combined capacity of roughly 1,600 MW.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.833)

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