The Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) has approved petitions filed by Vineyard Wind for construction and operation of electric transmission facilities within the Commonwealth that will deliver electricity generated at the 800MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm to the regional power grid.
Approval of the project’s transmission cables and interconnection substation by the EFSB, which is administered by Department of Public Utilities (DPU) staff and chaired by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, represents another significant milestone in the development of the United States’ first commercial-scale offshore wind generation facility, Vineyard Wind Said.
The project continues to move ahead with public and regulatory review through more than 25 federal, state, and local approval processes. It remains on schedule to begin onshore construction in 2019 and become operational by 2021.
“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 electricity generated at the wind farm.
Vineyard Wind LLC, the owner and developer of the project, is a joint venture partnership between Avangrid Renewables and the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.