Massachusetts has fired the starting gun on a 1600MW offshore wind solicitation round.
State distribution companies in coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources have published RFP materials for the auction.
Deadline for submission of bids is 23 September.
Winners will be selected by 17 December.
The Massachusetts distribution companies, including Eversource Energy, Unitil and National Grid, aim to hold a three-stage procurement process, under final proposals submitted to the Department of Public Utilities last week.
Bidders will first be assessed to ensure they meet eligibility criteria before a series of qualitative and quantitative tests are carried out. Officials will then do a final assessment of projects.
The bid cap is set at $77.76 per megawatt-hour and bids are due to be filed by September.
It is the state’s third offshore wind solicitation round.
The round is a result of the 2018 Act to Advance Clean Energy signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker (pictured).