US offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind opened its Massachusetts office at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal on Friday, 10 February.
Last year, Massachusetts’ Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill which requires utilities to competitively solicit and contract for approximately 1,600MW of offshore wind by 2027.
Following the passing of the new legislation, Deepwater Wind appointed Matthew Morrissey as head of the company’s operations in the state.
In September 2016, Deepwater Wind, together with DONG Energy and OffshoreMW, signed a letter of intent to lease the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and use it as a base for future offshore wind projects in the state.
The company reportedly plans to use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal for the development of the Deepwater ONE project, which would be built in phases over time, supplying power to both southern New England and eastern Long Island.
In January 2017, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) approved a 20-year power purchase agreement for the 90MW Deepwater ONE South Fork wind farm which represents the first phase of the Deepwater ONE development.
The South Fork project is expected to enter construction phase in 2019, with full commissioning scheduled for 2022.
Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind is the owner and operator of the 30MW Block Island wind farm, the nation’s first operating wind farm.