CLIMATEWIRE | HYANNIS, Mass. — America's first major offshore wind farm is coming into focus on the wavy horizon off Massachusetts.
The construction comes at a time when offshore wind projects in the United States face growing questions related to soaring costs from rising interest rates and supply chain constraints. That enabled construction to begin in 2021, with the laying of a 35-mile transmission cable. When foundation installations began this summer, thick fog halted construction several times because it impeded mandated lookouts for endangered whales and raised safety issues for construction workers.
He expressed confidence that the first turbines will start generating power later this year, while the entire project will be completed in 2024. Avangrid recently paid $48 million to cancel its power contract with Massachusetts for a different offshore wind project named Commonwealth Wind, a 1,200-MW development. Oytan said Avangrid stood to lose $1 billion under that agreement. The company is also trying to renegotiate the terms of a power contract for Park City Wind, an 804-MW project with a deal to sell electricity to Connecticut.States have so far agreed to developers' requests.
Vineyard Wind's progress is proof that the fight against climate change can be won, said state Sen. Michael Barrett, a Democrat who chairs the energy committee with Roy. Still, he said it is essential for Massachusetts to lower costs even as it advances wind projects that are essential to state climate goals.