Massachusetts and Rhode Island Fuel Expansion of Offshore Wind Industry

In a groundbreaking move that signifies a major step forward for renewable energy, Massachusetts and Rhode Island have announced the selection of 2,878 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind in the first coordinated procurement of its kind. This move solidifies their commitment to sustainability and energy independence.

Massachusetts has taken the lead, selecting a total of 2,678 MW from three projects, making it the largest offshore wind selection in the history of New England. This significant development will contribute to nearly 20 percent of Massachusetts' overall electric demand, powering more than 1.4 million homes with clean, renewable energy.

The selected projects include 1,087 MW from the SouthCoast Wind multistate project, 791 MW from the New England Wind 1 project, and up to 800 MW from the Vineyard Wind 2 project. These projects are expected to reduce the state's carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking one million gas-powered cars off the road, a major victory for combating climate change.

Governor Maura Healey expressed her pride in this milestone achievement, stating, "Today we are proud to announce that, along with our partners in Rhode Island, we are taking an important step towards energy independence, cleaner air, and transforming our economy. Simply put, we are going big."

This move towards offshore wind will not only deliver substantial environmental benefits but also create thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in economic activity. The SouthCoast Wind project alone is projected to provide 3,915 high-paying jobs in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Additionally, Avangrid's New England Wind 1 project will create 4,400 full-time equivalent jobs, while the Vineyard Wind 2 project will generate 3,800 job-years of employment, with 80 percent of those jobs in Massachusetts.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized the significance of this milestone for the offshore wind industry, stating, "This historic offshore wind selection is an important building block to our regional offshore wind industry. Like any new industry, offshore wind has faced headwinds, but our coalition of states is rising to meet the challenges and seize the tremendous economic, climate, and energy opportunities on the other side."

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Today marks a historic milestone for Rhode Island and Massachusetts as we join forces to drive the largest offshore wind procurement in New England's history. Together with Massachusetts, we are setting a precedent for regional collaboration in clean energy and advancing a sustainable, resilient future."

This significant development not only resonates at the state level but is also applauded at the national level. White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi praised New England's leadership in seizing offshore wind opportunities, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration's clean energy agenda and highlighting the job creation and economic benefits associated with renewable energy initiatives.

With offshore wind taking center stage, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are actively investing in their ports and job training programs to support the growth of this industry. The development of purpose-built offshore wind ports in New Bedford, New London, Salem, and Providence Port will ensure economic activity in these regions until 2032.

Massachusetts Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper emphasized the stability that offshore wind brings, stating, "Our region is heavily reliant on gas that comes to us from pipelines and ships. For decades, our entire region has experienced significant swings in prices while also worrying about reliability. Offshore wind will bring stability to Massachusetts at a critical time."

This selection of offshore wind projects not only reinforces the commitment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island to clean energy but also positions New England as a global leader in renewable energy development. With significant environmental and economic benefits, the future of clean energy in the region is shining brighter than ever before.