The US state of Massachusetts has again delayed the finalisation of offtake contracts for two offshore wind projects initially selected at auction in September 2024.
Ocean Winds’ 1287MW SouthCoast Wind and Iberdrola’s 791MW New England Wind 1 arrays were both winners in a dual-state solicitation alongside neighbouring Rhode Island.
The finalisation of contracts has been repeatedly delayed.
In a December 30 letter to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities lawyers representing the evaluation team negotiating the contract with the developers wrote that “due to ongoing uncertainty caused by federal level activities, the counterparties have not yet completed their contract negotiations”.
The evaluation team wrote that the developers are now targeting the completion of negotiations and execution of contracts on or before June 30, 2026, with filing of contracts with the Department by August 31.
The letter came a week after US President Donald Trump ordered a halt to all five offshore wind projects currently under construction in US waters.