Offshore Wind Power

In January 2015, Vineyard Power Coop formally partnered with Vineyard Wind through the first offshore wind Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) signed in the United States. This partnership ensures that the benefits of offshore wind remain within our local island community.

On January 29, 2015, Vineyard Wind won the rights to develop renewable energy projects in federal lease area 501 through a competitive auction held by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

One project is currently under construction, Vineyard Wind 1 and there are two more projects in the permitting phases, New England Wind 1 and New England Wind 2 which are owned by Avangrid.

Vineyard Power works closely with Vineyard Wind and Avangrid to maximize local community benefits, participation, and engagement.

project updates

HISTORY OF VP & OFFSHORE WIND

  • Since its founding, Vineyard Power has sought to provide a renewable energy future that brings valuable work and enterprise to our island community through the development of offshore wind.

  • The Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completes site assessment activities for offshore wind farm development approximately 14 miles off of Martha's Vineyard southern coast. BOEM engages stakeholders and the public through this process to define the potential lease zones for offshore wind farm development. BOEM also completes an environmental assessment on proposed area relating to impacts from future site assessment activity.

    Along with members of our Renewable Energy Task Force and local and state politicians, Vineyard Power requested to BOEM that communities most impacted by offshore wind farm development receive direct benefits from these projects.

  • BOEM held a competitive lease sale (auction) for wind energy areas offshore MA. Leases were executed on April 1, 2015. Prior to lease sale, Vineyard Power and Vineyard Wind sign the first Community Benefit Agreement in the history of the US offshore wind industry.

    Offshore wind resources are steadier and stronger than the wind we experience on land due to less turbulence and friction. As an island off the coast of Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is uniquely situated to benefit from offshore wind. All open water to the east, southeast, and south of the Vineyard is classified as “Excellent” or “Outstanding” for this resource by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

  • Each lessee submits a Site Assessment Plan (SAP) for specific lease site and submits a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) to be reviewed and approved by BOEM ahead of construction. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is conducted to evaluate both the positive and negative impacts from the project.

  • Both onshore and offshore construction of the project has begun and is scheduled to be completed by early 2024.

  • Vineyard Power has worked with Vineyard Wind to bring benefits from this farm, including local jobs, into the local community.

    We are excited to develop this resource and keep its benefits local!

Vineyard Wind 1

Located in lease area 501 north, approximately 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Wind 1 will be the largest offshore wind farm to date in the United States. The proposed project will yield an output of 800 MW. Once completed, Vineyard Wind 1 will provide clean, sustainable energy to over 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts at a competitive price. Completion of Vineyard Wind 1 is expected in 2024.  

  • The transition to clean energy enables our region to greatly reduce its carbon footprint. Vineyard Wind 1 will effectively eliminate 1.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions every year.

  • Wind energy offers a stable alternative to fossil fuel, increasing competition in energy markets and ultimately driving down costs for the consumer. Offshore wind is reliable and renewable. Therefore, the cost of offshore wind energy will remain at a fixed low price. Resultantly, the project will produce $1.4 billion in savings statewide.

  • The Vineyard Wind Project, in conjunction with multiple proposed wind projects along the southern coast of Massachusetts, will generate thousands of jobs through the development, maintenance, and operation phases over the next 25-30 years.

    Local job training: Vineyard Power in partnership with ACE MV and Bristol Community College are providing the education islanders need to become the next generation of offshore wind technicians and project managers.

  • In 2019, Vineyard Wind partnered with Citizens Energy & Vineyard Power to establish the Resiliency and Affordability Fund, a $1 million annual contribution over 15 years in an effort to develop battery storage and solar projects locally on Martha’s Vineyard and the Cape. Find out more about the Resiliency and Affordability Fund on the Vineyard Wind website.

  • As an unprecedented undertaking, the Vineyard Wind Project is a pioneer in the offshore industry, paving the way for future wind developments in Massachusetts and across the nation. Click here to learn how Vineyard Wind is pushing the agenda of offshore wind in Massachusetts.

Park City Wind

In 2019, Vineyard Wind secured the rights to develop another offshore wind project, Park City Wind. This 804 MW project will generate enough power to meet the demand of over 400,000 homes, produce $890 million in economic benefits, and create thousands of jobs regionally.  

Commonweath WinD

Avangrid has begun permitting another offshore wind project, Commonwealth Wind. This 1232 MW project will generate enough power to meet the demand of over 700,000 homes, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 460,000 cars off the road annually.  

The project will be developed in an area at least 22 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard that was designated by the federal government in 2015 following a rigorous environmental review that included many communities and stakeholders.

Grid Interconnection Location(s): West Barnstable, Massachusetts with a potential additional connection(s) in the South Coast region

  • The 50KW array produces enough energy to power the Town's Municipal electrical load including the Town offices, police & fire stations, library, street lights, and public bathrooms.

    With construction completed in 2012 this was one of the first solar installations on a capped landfill in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  • Completed in 2012, the three-canopy 210kW photovoltaic installation produces over a quarter of Cronig's electricity, equal to the combined usage of about 35 average Vineyard homes.

  • Completed in 2014, this 100kW array produces enough to power a significant portion of Chilmark’s municipal demand.

  • Located at the Martha's Vineyard Boys and Girls Club, this 42 kw roof top solar array produces 50,000 kWh/year, providing enough energy to offset 100% of the MV Boys & Girls Club demand.

SOLAR PROJECTS

Vineyard Power has successfully installed four solar arrays on Martha’s Vineyard. Through the completion of the island wide solar projects listed below, Vineyard Power attained many of the organizational skills needed to achieve its long term energy goals.