Massachusetts awarded new power contracts to three offshore wind projects Friday in a bid to revive the struggling industry and meet the state’s climate goals.
The Bay State’s plan to slash carbon emissions by securing 5,600 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2027 was dealt a blow last year when developers canceled two projects that together accounted for nearly half of the state’s capacity goal. The companies cited rising construction and financing costs.
Both developers received new deals Friday. SouthCoast Wind will produce more than 1,200 MW with a new project that feeds power to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Avangrid, meanwhile, inked a contract with Massachusetts for 791 MW from its proposed New England Wind 1 project. A third contract was awarded to Vineyard Offshore for an 800-MW development off the coast of Massachusetts.
“We are taking an important step towards energy independence, cleaner air and transforming our economy. Simply put, we are going big,” said Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat.
