The US state of Massachusetts is exploring waterfront facilities that could be used to support offshore wind construction.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is seeking proposals from engineering teams to conduct a Ports and Infrastructure Assessment. Applications may be submitted by 23 December.
The state agency wants to evaluate available, underdeveloped waterfront sites that could be acquired and potentially improved through private investment to support and service the offshore wind market in Massachusetts and along the east coast.
MassCEC in 2015 built the 26-acre New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal that will host the majority of wind farm construction staging.
However, the offshore wind industry has identified additional activities, including the construction and staging of foundations, component manufacturing, and long-term operations and maintenance, that may require secondary locations.
Massachusetts law requires the procurement of 1.6GW of offshore wind by 2027, with the first solicitation to be issued in June 2017.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Deepwater Wind and Dong Energy are developing more than 3GW of projects in federal waters off Massachusetts.
The three companies have agreed to lease the New Bedford terminal for primary staging and deployment.
Image: Deepwater Wind
Massachusetts starts port search
Waterfront facilities sought in US state to support offshore construction
By EBS