offshore wind

A deep and earthy rumble signalled the falling of Brayton Point powerplant’s two cooling towers that have stood alongside I-195 for the past decade. Hundreds of people gathered in Kennedy Park to watch the towers’ implosion, complete with a brass band to celebrate. 

The Brayton Point powerplant on the South Coast is a monument to a source of energy Massachusetts once heavily relied on: coal. The plant closed in 2017, and on Saturday, April 27, the plant's landmark feature, its twin cooling towers, are scheduled to be demolished by implosion. 

This year the offshore wind company Vineyard Wind plans to start construction on a wind farm south of Martha’s Vineyard, with more than 80 turbines. Several other commercial wind-power projects are proposed for the state’s coastal waters. And while the first offshore turbine has yet to go up in Massachusetts, already this new industry is beginning to have an impact on local classrooms, from elementary grades to college.

On Wednesday on Capitol Hill two House committees held climate change hearings. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker used his appearance at the hearings to highlight the commonwealth’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Massachusetts' three electricity companies have submitted their contracts to the state's Department of Public Utilities, after negotiating a rate of 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour with offshore wind company Vineyard Wind.

Massachusetts has chosen energy company Vineyard Wind to build the state’s first offshore wind farm. Now, the company has broken ground for the first time, as it begins testing soil samples at a potential onshore site in Centerville.

On Wednesday, the Commonwealth held a forum for businesses across the region to hear from Vineyard Wind, the first offshore wind company to win a contract with the state to provide 800 megawatts of power. The meeting included large international companies like General Electric, and smaller local crane operators and boat repair companies as well. 

Massachusetts made a big step forward in its push to rely more on renewable energy by agreeing to purchase 800 megawatts of offshore wind power from Vineyard Wind. The New Bedford-based company was one of three competing for a contract with the state. The proposed farm is poised to become the largest offshore wind farm in the country. 

Massachusetts is gearing up for the creation of the state's first offshore wind farm. If proposals are accepted, the state could soon be home to the largest offshore wind facility in the country.