Contract execution for Massachusetts offshore wind delayed to 2025

The execution of contracts for Massachusetts’ offshore wind solicitation, where 2,678 MW was selected from three projects, has been delayed till early next year.

The Electric Distribution Companies have notified the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities that the contracting parties have not yet completed their contract negotiations and are now aiming to finalise the negotiations and execute contracts with all three counterparties on or before January 15, 2025. Consequently, the filing of contracts with the department is now expected on or before February 25, 2025, the companies’ letter says.

The tender schedule anticipated contract execution to occur by November 8, 2024.

The results of the solicitation, which was coordinated with Rhode Island and Connecticut, were announced in September. Massachusetts selected 2,678 MW from three projects -- a 1,087-MW portion of the 1,287-MW SouthCoast Wind multi-state project, 100% of the 791-MW New England Wind 1 project, and up to 800 MW of the 1,200-MW Vineyard Wind 2 project.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Friday announced the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the up to 2.4-GW SouthCoast Wind project offshore Massachusetts.

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