“This is evidence that the U.S. offshore wind industry is becoming a mainstream clean energy source for U.S. coastal states, and the opportunity for the U.S.-based supply chain is only going to grow,” said Liz Burdock, CEO & President of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. “It also underscores that states’ energy procurement policies, like those of Massachusetts, are vital for the nation’s transition to a clean energy economy.”
“Major oil and gas companies and utilities understand the future of electricity generation along the U.S. Coast is offshore wind. The selection of Mayflower Wind, a joint project between oil and gas giant Shell New Energies and the Portuguese utility EDP Renewables, truly demonstrates the rush to fuel supply diversification. This team will bring regulatory expertise and utilize a supply chain that will expand across America,” added Burdock. Massachusetts DOER issued the RFP on May 23, and bids were due in on August 23, which shows that the state is speeding up its solicitation review process.
The next steps are for Mayflower Wind and the state to negotiate the long-term power contracts by December 13, and for long-term contracts to be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for approval on January 10, 2020. The Network’s statement is available here.
