Massachusetts-based Neptune Wind announces intent to develop, build, operate 500-MW Nomans Wind offshore wind farm in federal waters south of Massachusetts-Rhode Island border

Rachel Carter

WINCHESTER, Massachusetts , August 23, 2011 (press release) – Neptune Wind intends to develop, construct and operate an utility scale offshore wind farm about 20 nautical miles south of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border. The project, called Nomans Wind, is being planned as a 500 MW generation facility and will employ next generation offshore turbines designed for the strong wind regime in this area. Water depths range from 20 to 40 meters, requiring the use of a jacket structure foundation that can withstand harsh marine conditions.

Yesterday’s announcement by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee effectively launched the next phase of the offshore wind industry in New England with a Call for Information and Nominations for development in the Area of Mutual Interest (AMI) between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Hundreds of new jobs will be created for Southern New England as this industry develops, in addition to providing clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes at an affordable cost.

Having already qualified as a commercial energy leaseholder on the Outer Continental Shelf in the AMI, Neptune Wind will submit a Nomination for the Nomans Wind proposed lease area by the October 3rd, 2011 deadline established by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. The company plans to use a new portside facility in New Bedford, Massachusetts for some manufacturing and construction operations, but is also exploring port and other facilities in Rhode Island at Quonset Point to complement its New Bedford activities.

The company carefully considered the reported results of the RI Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) study in its site selection process. Moreover, through consultations and meetings with commercial fishermen and related parties the company believes it has chosen an acceptable area for development, but plans to continue to work closely with these important interests as development progresses in order that both industries can profitably use New England's rich offshore resources.

Neptune Wind submitted a Nomination for a project in federal waters off the coast of New Jersey earlier this year and has expressed interest in other potential lease areas south and southwest of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

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