The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has released its report on pursuing an additional 1,600 MW of offshore wind power, doubling the state’s wind commitment.
In 2018, Governor Charlie Baker signed into law An Act to Advance Clean Energy, Chapter 227 of the Acts of 2018, which required DOER to study the necessity, benefits, and costs of requiring the Electric Distributions Companies (EDCs) to conduct additional solicitations and procurements for offshore wind.
The study projected that an additional procurement for 1,600 MW of offshore wind could save Massachusetts ratepayers between $670 million and $1.27 billion over the 20-year life of a contract.
The legislation also directed DOER to evaluate the previous 1,600 MW solicitation under Section 83C and make recommendations for any improvements.
Based on its recent findings, DOER recommends and will require the Massachusetts EDCs to proceed with the 1,600 MW of additional offshore wind generation solicitations. The study recommends that the additional solicitations take place in 2022 and 2024. The two intervals would allow for more cost-effective technology improvements over time while providing a steady pipeline of economic opportunities for the offshore supply chain.
“We thank Massachusetts DOER Commissioner Judith Judson for releasing the report calling for an additional 1600 MW of offshore wind power starting in 2022, which will double the state’s commitment to 3200 MW,” said Liz Burdock, CEO and President of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.
The DOER report projects that the second 1600 MW procurement could save state ratepayers between $670 million and 1.27 billion over the 20-year life of the contract, added Burdock.
“In addition, we support the department’s strategy of a staggered schedule of solicitations for this second authorization, like what New Jersey is doing with pre-scheduled RFPs in 2020 and 2022. This is the type of far-sighted planning that will allow Massachusetts to maintain its status as a national leader in the U.S. offshore wind industry,” she said.
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Policy
