MHI Vestas was named the preferred wind turbine supplier for Vineyard Wind, the 800-megawatt offshore project in Massachusetts, U.S., the company announced Tuesday.
Located 14 miles off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, the project is scheduled for installation in 2021, and is large enough to serve as a catalyst for the build-up of a local supply chain in the region, according to a statement from MHI Vestas, an equally-owned joint venture between Danish Vestas and Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
'We feel honored to have been selected as preferred supplier for the first large-scale offshore wind project in the U.S.,' said CEO Philippe Kavafyan.
'In bringing the V164-9.5 MW, the world's most powerful wind turbine, to Massachusetts, Vineyard Wind ensures that the Commonwealth will be home to our most recent technology that is extremely well suited to conditions along the eastern seaboard. We look forward to partnering with Vineyard Wind to help Massachusetts achieve its climate targets and bring clean energy jobs to the region,' he added.
According to the statement, Vineyard Wind advances the ambitious vision of Massachusetts and Governor Charlie Baker, who announced in 2016 that the state would procure 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2026, and 3.2 GW by 2035 in an effort to help replace decommissioned coal power plants.
Once the turbine supply order is confirmed, MHI Vestas will begin the process of local hiring and supply chain investment to support the project as it nears the construction phase, it said.
Vineyard Wind is developed by Vineyard Wind LLC, which is equally owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Portland and Oregon-based Avangrid Renewables.
The project is expected to supply electricity for 450,000 Massachusetts homes, and offers $3.7 billion in energy-related cost savings over 20 years, according to the statement.
It is also estimated to eliminate 1.68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to taking 325,000 cars off the road.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr