The US state of Massachusetts has activated its contracts with the 806MW Vineyard Wind array from developers Iberdrola and CIP.
The 20-year power purchase agreements are projected to save Massachusetts ratepayers a projected $1.4bn over the lifetime of the contracts, according to the office of Governor Maura Healey (pictured).
The 62-turbine array has been selling power on New England’s wholesale electricity market throughout this past winter.
Healey said in a statement: “Throughout one of the coldest winters in recent history, Vineyard Wind turbines powered our homes and businesses at a low price and now that price goes even lower with the activation of these contracts.
“Especially as President Trump is taking energy sources off the table and increasing prices with his war in Iran, we should be leaning into more American-made wind power to lower costs, create jobs, and make our country more energy independent.”
Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper added: “Today also demonstrates the value of these long-term contracts, which are carefully vetted to maximize customer savings, bring on the supply we need, and get projects off the ground.”
The contract activation comes amidst an ongoing lawsuit between Vineyard Wind and its turbine supplier, GE Vernova.
The supplier was ordered by a Boston court to continue operations and maintenance work on the project after threatening to walk-away after what GE Vernova said it was owed hundreds of millions of dollars.
Vineyard Wind sued to keep the supplier at work, and said the money was counted against delays to the project owing to GE Vernova’s poor performance.