The Massachusetts distribution companies have jointly submitted a request for approval of a new request for proposals (RFP) for offshore wind energy generation to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
The new RFP was developed by the distribution companies in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and in consultation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
If approved by the Department of Public Utilities, the new RFP would allow the distribution companies to invite developers to submit their proposals in August, and to select the winner, or winners, of the solicitation by November. The contract, or contracts, would be negotiated and executed in December.
This timeline would allow the potential bidders to qualify for the 2019 Business Energy Investment Tax Credit which expires at the end of the year.
Under the new RFP, the distribution companies are seeking to procure at least 400MW of offshore wind energy generation, but will allow proposals from 200MW up to approximately 800MW.
This would be the second offshore wind solicitation in Massachusetts. In May 2018, the 800MW Vineyard Wind project was selected as the winner of the state’s first RFP.
In total, Massachusetts plans to have 1,600MW of offshore wind energy online and operating by 2027.