A joint venture of EDP Renewables and Shell, Mayflower Wind Energy has been selected as one of the winners in the auction conducted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in the US for the development of 1.6GW in offshore wind.
Image: EDPR and Shell JV wins BOEM offshore wind bid. Photo: Courtesy of John Nyberg/FreeImages.com.
EDP Renewables and Shell joint venture Mayflower stated that once completed, the offshore wind will be able to generate enough clean electricity to power more than 680,000 average homes in Massachusetts, each year.
Mayflower bid $135m for the rights to develop the federal commercial wind energy. With this win, EDPR will able to increase its growth options in the US offshore wind market and it can also enhance its long-term profitable growth options while maintaining a balanced risk profile.
Mayflower Wind Energy director John Hartnett said: “Mayflower’s entry into US offshore wind is exciting and will leverage Shell and EDPR’s years of combined wind development and offshore experience.
“We commend BOEM on a successful bid round and look forward to working with local groups and communities to realize this opportunity.”
Mayflower has secured rights for the development of the block OCS-A 0521. The joint venture company stated that it will begin working on site assessment plan and will also begin formal development efforts on the site, subject to final investment decision. With these processes ahead, the wind farm could come into operation by the mid-2020s.
Other companies which had won the auction include Equinor Wind and Vineyard Wind. Together, the three companies have secured 390,000 acres of offshore Massachusetts for the development of nearly 4.1GW of wind generation. If this potential wind comes into operation, it is estimated to power nearly 1.5 million homes in the US with renewable energy.
BOEM acting director Cruickshank said: “This auction will further the Administration’s comprehensive effort to secure the nation’s energy future. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and members of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Task Force have been great partners throughout this process.
“We look forward to working with them and the lessees as we move forward with next steps for developing offshore wind energy in a responsible manner.”