Massachusetts, Rhode Island announce offshore wind selection

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Officials from Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced what they said was the “largest offshore wind selection in New England History” on Friday.

Massachusetts selected 2,678 MW in total from three projects, including SouthCoast Wind, New Endgland Wind 1, and Vineyard Wind 2.

Officials said the SouthCoast Wind project expects to provide 3,915 jobs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and will be constructed between 2025 and 2030.

The New England Wind 1 project will create 4,400 full-time equivalent jobs and will be completed around 2029, while Vineyard Wind 2 will generate 3,800 “job-years.”

“With this project, Rhode Island is taking a significant step forward in meeting our Act on Climate goals and building a clean energy economy that benefits all Rhode Islanders,” Gov. Dan McKee said. “Together with Massachusetts, we are setting a precedent for regional collaboration in clean energy and advancing a sustainable, resilient future.”

All three projects are expected to use New Bedford for aspects of staging and construction.

“We in Greater New Bedford are especially excited that the largest single project selected today, SouthCoast Wind, has premised its proposal on the use of the Port of New Bedford for both project staging and as a base for operations and maintenance,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “With the two other winning proposals from Avangrid and Vineyard Wind also committed to using New Bedford for significant aspects of their projects, the awards announced today will collectively generate lasting economic benefits for the City and the region.”

More information on all three projects can be found here.