Massachusetts Utilities Table First Offshore Wind Request for Proposals

The utilities in the State of Massachusetts have issued a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure up to 800MW of offshore wind energy generation.

Through the RFP, developed by Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), the utilities are seeking to procure a total of 400MW of offshore wind energy generation.

This solicitation also allows bidders to submit alternative proposals with a nameplate capacity of no less than 200MW and no greater than 800MW.

The utilities will consider procuring up to approximately 800MW of offshore wind capacity if the evaluation team determines that a larger-scaled proposal is both superior to other proposals submitted in response to the RFP and is likely to produce significantly more economic net benefits to ratepayers.

All proposals must provide for a scheduled commercial operation date before 1 January, 2027.

The first call for proposals is expected to be issued on 30 June and to close on 20 December, 2017.

This initial solicitation is part of a staggered procurement schedule developed by the utilities and DOER to ensure that the distribution companies enter into cost-effective contracts for offshore wind energy generation equal to approximately 1,600MW of aggregate nameplate capacity not later than 30 June, 2027.