Massachusetts Selects 2nd Planned Offshore Wind Project

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts is forging ahead with plans to develop offshore wind farms despite mixed signals from federal regulators.

The Baker administration announced that Mayflower Wind has been selected by the state's electric distribution companies to begin contract negotiations to provide 804 megawatts of offshore wind to Massachusetts.

Wednesday's announcement brings the amount of planned offshore wind energy under a 2016 bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker to approximately 1,600 megawatts. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide affordable energy.

The plan has hit some snags.

In August, federal regulators abruptly postponed issuing a key environmental impact statement for Vineyard Wind, which hopes to build an 800-megawatt, 84-turbine offshore wind farm.

The combined energy output of the projects represents about 12% of total Massachusetts annual energy demand.

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