Offshore wind energy developer Vineyard Wind has secured the permits required to connect its proposed 800 MW wind farm to the Massachusetts grid.
The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) has given consent to Vineyard’s plans for the construction of transmission cables and an interconnection substations, marking a “significant milestone” in the development of the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the USA.
“Today’s decision is another critical step forward as Vineyard Wind moves toward beginning on-shore construction later this year,” said Laura Beane, President and CEO of Avangrid Renewables, a partner in the Vineyard Wind joint venture. “The future of the American offshore wind energy industry is rising in Massachusetts thanks to the commitment of many stakeholders to deliver competitive solutions to climate change, and we remain committed to delivering environmental benefits and economic opportunity through our investment.”
In April, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approved long-term power purchase contracts between Vineyard Wind and Massachusetts’ electric distribution companies (EDCs) for the delivery of clean offshore wind energy.
Vineyard Wind is a joint venture between Avangrid Renewables and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. The project will use MHI Vestas 9.5 MW turbines.
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