Ocean Winds Multi-State Offshore Wind Project Receives Onshore Approvals

October 28, 2024, by Adnan Memija

SouthCoast Wind 1, being developed by Ocean Winds, has secured approvals from the state of Massachusetts for the construction and operation of onshore transmission facilities at Brayton Point in Somerset, the US.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) approved SouthCoast Wind’s request to construct and operate transmission facilities at Brayton Point in Somerset.

In addition, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection granted a license for project-related nearshore equipment and work while the state’s Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) signed off on the project’s Federal Consistency Review.

“These important permitting milestones bring our project closer to construction. We are grateful to the Commonwealth’s thorough review and look forward to providing clean power, good jobs and economic growth to the region”, said Jennifer Flood, Head of Permitting for SouthCoast Wind and Ocean Winds North America.

SouthCoast Wind’s offshore lease area is in federal waters 23 miles (about 37 kilometres) south of Nantucket, and the proposed cable route runs through federal and Massachusetts state waters, Rhode Island’s Sakonnet River, across a portion of Portsmouth, RI, and into Mt. Hope Bay.

The permit also approves a cable route that will go from Mt. Hope Bay, travel up the Lee River, and enter Brayton Point close to the location of its planned converter station and electric grid connection.

SouthCoast Wind brayton point — *Source: SouthCoast Wind*

MA CZM issued Federal Consistency Concurrence for the offshore wind project, a major milestone contributing to the state and federal permitting achievements for SouthCoast Wind, said the project company.

The CZM approval also includes the approval of a fisheries compensation fund developed in coordination with the local fishing community.

According to the project company, the approvals keep the SouthCoast Wind 1 wind farm on track to deliver its clean offshore wind energy to the New England regional electric grid by 2030.

SouthCoast Wind was awarded power purchase agreements with Massachusetts and Rhode Island to provide a total of 1,287 MW and is currently negotiating contracts with each state’s largest utilities.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island Award Nearly 2.9 GW Capacity in First US Multi-State Offshore Wind Auction

Planning & Permitting

The offshore wind project plans to marshall its turbines at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, have its operations and maintenance (O&M) port at Foss Terminal in New Bedford, and open a crew transfer and administrative hub in Rhode Island.

Construction, which is expected in late 2025, will commence once it has received all federal, state, and local permits, and pending a final investment decision.