Massachusetts officials provided a list of the 10 companies that have expressed interest in construction of offshore wind farms in an expanse of federal waters, 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard.
According to the Associated Press, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identified the location as perfect for energy generation with the estimated 4GW production capacity, which is enough to power approximately 1.7 million households. Last week it finished shaping the boundaries of the wind energy area, from initially proposed 3,000 to 1,160 square miles.
The BOEM aimed at streamlining the approval process for offshore wind projects off Massachusetts, trying to minimize conflicts like those concerning Cape Wind, which still faces appeals.
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Offsore WIND staff, June 4, 2012; Image: BOEM