The US states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island have awarded 2,878 MW of offshore wind capacity on their first multi-state offshore wind solicitation. Massachusetts awarded 2,678 MW, selecting 1,087 MW of the multi-state 1,287 MW SouthCoast Wind project developed by Ocean Winds, up to 800 MW of the 1,260 MW Vineyard Wind 2 project, as well as Avangrid’s 791 MW New England Wind 1 project. Rhode Island Energy awarded the remaining 200 MW. The combined 2.9 GW are expected to generate enough energy to power 1.4 million Massachusetts households and over 125,000 Rhode Island homes.
The 1,287 MW SouthCoast Wind project, being developed by Ocean Winds (a 50:50 joint venture by EDP Renewables and Engie) is planned to be shared between Massachusetts and Rhode Island once it enters construction in 2025. Avangrid’s New England Wind 1 expects to start construction works if a power purchase agreement (PPA) is signed and approved in 2025, aiming to reach commercial operations in 2029.
The US aims to deploy 15 GW of offshore wind capacity, with the local government of Massachusetts approaching its goal to procure 5.6 GW of offshore wind by 2027.
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