Bay State Wind submits RFP for offshore wind project in Massachusetts

Bay State Wind submitted a request for proposals to Massachusetts officials for two offshore wind energy projects in the state.

Bay State Wind is a joint venture between Orsted and Eversource. The RFPs are for wind energy projects that would generate 400MW and 800MW of wind energy.

“Since day one our team has been focused on delivering cost-effective, renewable offshore wind energy to the Bay State,” Thomas Brostrom, president of Orsted North America and CEO of Orsted U.S. Offshore Wind, said. “Our project will not only create jobs and provide local investment, it will be delivered by the offshore wind’s leading experts to ensure the project is achievable, sustainable, and successful for the commonwealth.”

The 800MW project could generate enough renewable energy to provide power up to 500,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gas reductions equivalent to taking up to 350,000 cars off the road.

“We are thrilled to once again help Massachusetts take the next step to grow its clean energy economy,” Eversource Executive Vice President for Enterprise Energy Strategy and Business Development Lee Olivier said. “Our team has been in the local communities, meeting with residents and stakeholders, to ensure their feedback is built into Bay State Wind’s proposal, which is the most mature, comprehensive and thorough offshore wind project available.”

The Bay State Wind proposal, which has been in development since 2015, will be located 25 miles off the Massachusetts South Coast and 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. The wind farm is not visible over the horizon from mainland Massachusetts and on the clearest of days only marginally visible from the shores of Martha’s Vineyard.