Mass. and R.I. choose new offshore wind projects

Massachusetts and Rhode Island ― but not Connecticut ― announced winners in a multi-state offshore wind procurement on Friday, choosing three different projects that will generate a total of 2,878 megawatts of electricity.Connecticut, which had also accepted bids as part of the tri-state partnership, has not yet made a decision on whether to approve more offshore wind projects. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection spokesman Will Healey said, "The evaluation of project bids remains underway in Connecticut and we will announce a final decision in our solicitation at a future date."No timeline was given for the state's decision. Massachusetts chose the bulk of the offshore wind power, 2,678 megawatts, or enough to power 1.4 million homes. The power will come from three different projects – SouthCoast Wind, New England Wind 1 and Vineyard Wind 2."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," Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said in a statement.Rhode Island chose a modest 200 MW from the SouthCoast Wind project, a project of Ocean Winds.New England Wind 1, formerly known as Park City Wind, is a project pitched by Avangrid that already has received conditional approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. It would provide 791 megawatts to Massachusetts by 2029, the company said in a statement. "We are grateful to Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, and the leadership of the entire administration in advancing energy reliability and climate goals at this historic moment," Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said in a statement. "New England Wind 1 is positioned to deliver an urgent energy, climate, and economic solution to Massachusetts, and we look forward to working with the Commonwealth, Tribal Nations, organized labor, and our community partners moving forward." Avangrid canceled Park City Wind, which was supposed to supply power to Connecticut, last year after failed attempts to renegotiate its contract with the state for power. It was among other offshore wind projects that had stalled due to higher costs companies blamed on supply chain issues and inflation. Vineyard Wind 2 is a project proposed by Vineyard Offshore, one of the companies constructing Vineyard Wind 1 - the offshore wind farm expected to be the first to send power to the Bay State. Vineyard Wind had submitted proposals to all three states that included delivery of electricity to a regional grid in Montville. The only project not chosen on Friday was the 1,184-megawatt Starboard Wind, a proposal from Danish wind giant Ørsted. Ørsted is in the process of constructing Revolution Wind, the first project to send power to Connecticut. Thursday's announcement comes a month later than originally anticipated. The bid selections were delayed as the states considered the impacts of a $389 million Department of Energy grant. Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter Director Samantha Dynowski, in a statement, said recent flooding in Connecticut is a testament to "the devastating realities of the climate crisis.""Now is the time for Connecticut to double down on offshore wind. We urge DEEP to follow the example of our neighbors and quickly complete the selection of project bids," Dynowski said. "These projects will undoubtedly have a profound positive impact on our state by reducing unhealthy emissions, providing green, local jobs, and lowering energy costs."g.smith@theday.com