The developers of the 800MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm have entered into a so-called host community agreement with the town of Barnstable in Massachusetts.
The deal represents another milestone for the project as it advances through the permitting process to the onset of construction in 2019 and operations by 2021, developers Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners said
Under the terms of the agreement, Vineyard Wind would make payments of at least $1.534m a year in combined property taxes and host community payments over the 25-year life of the project.
It also provides for a detailed review of Vineyard Wind’s specifications for a new substation near the town.
Transformers and other electrical equipment at the substation will be underlain by impervious containment systems, while transmission cables will be sited under public roads or sidewalks connecting to an existing substation.
The agreement has been filed with the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board, Vineyard Wind said.