On Tuesday, the Biden administration gave the green light to a new wind project off the coast of Massachusetts, which is set to surpass the electricity output of the state’s former coal-fired generating station. Named Avangrid’s New England Wind, this project marks the eighth major offshore wind initiative approved in the United States and shares the title for the largest ever sanctioned, although it is anticipated to be slightly smaller in scale. According to Avangrid, although the project initially secured approval for 129 turbines, it will likely be scaled down, with each turbine also being smaller.
Consequently, the actual output is expected to hover around 1,900 megawatts, as opposed to the maximum 2,600 megawatts. This energy capacity could effectively power up to 1 million homes and businesses in southern New England. Another significant offshore wind project is the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, a 2,600-megawatt endeavor planned for construction east of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The closure of Massachusetts’ last operating coal-fired power plant, Brayton Point, in 2017, marked a pivotal moment as environmental advocates pushed for cleaner energy sources. This plant was the largest of its kind in New England, generating 1,600 megawatts of electricity for local use. The site will now serve to support the burgeoning offshore wind industry. Ken Kimmell, Avangrid’s chief development officer, noted that the New England Wind project surpasses the size of other prominent energy facilities in the region, such as a nuclear plant in New Hampshire and a natural gas-fired plant in Massachusetts. He emphasized the significance of Tuesday’s approval, highlighting its contribution to addressing the region’s energy needs.
“This marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of clean energy and ensures a reliable power supply,” Kimmell stated. “These wind farms represent a substantial addition to the grid, offering clean energy solutions and bolstering our capacity as we transition away from retiring coal and nuclear plants.” The approval of such large-scale renewable energy projects underscores the progress made in the sector, as wind and solar initiatives now rival the size of traditional energy plants, despite their intermittent nature without additional storage solutions.
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