NECEC today released the following statement commending Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s selections of two offshore wind projects totaling 1200 megawatts (MW) to be built off the coast of Massachusetts, as a result of the first-ever competitive offshore wind solicitation in the nation.

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Vineyard Wind’s 800 MW offshore wind project has been selected to move to contract negotiations, while Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced that Rhode Island will move towards contract negotiations with Deepwater Wind’s 400 MW Revolution Wind project.

“NECEC commends the Baker-Polito Administration and Raimondo Administration for these bold steps to diversify the region’s energy mix with our most abundant local renewable energy resource - offshore wind,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “As the first grid-scale offshore wind projects selected in the United States for long-term electricity supply contracts, this move will firmly establish the region as the nation’s leader on offshore wind and attract thousands of clean energy jobs to the southern New England region, bringing significant economic benefit to customers and helping the region meet our strong environmental goals.”

“We hope Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the region’s other states will move forward on additional offshore wind solicitations in an accelerated way given the depth of competitive proposals and the investment the offshore wind industry is making in Massachusetts and the broader region.”

About NECEC

NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council & NECEC Institute) is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.