Definition
SouthCoast Wind is a proposed offshore wind energy project situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the southern coast of Massachusetts, United States. The project is planned to produce electricity by harnessing wind power through a farm of utility‑scale wind turbines.
Overview
The development is a joint venture between Ørsted US Offshore Wind and Eversource Energy. When completed, SouthCoast Wind is expected to have an installed capacity of approximately 804 megawatts (MW), sufficient to supply electricity to roughly 750,000 households. The project received a federal offshore wind lease from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in 2021 and a state‑level Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 2022. Construction is slated to begin in the mid‑2020s, with commercial operation targeted for the early 2030s. The electricity generated will be transmitted to the mainland via undersea cables that connect to an on‑shore substation in the town of New Bedford.
Etymology/Origin
The name “SouthCoast Wind” combines a geographic reference to Massachusetts’s “South Coast” region—encompassing towns such as New Bedford, Fairhaven, and Acushnet—with the term “Wind,” indicating the project's reliance on wind energy technology.
Characteristics
- Capacity and Turbines: The plan calls for approximately 84 to 96 wind turbines, each rated at around 10–12 MW, depending on the final turbine model selected.
- Location: The wind farm will be sited in federal waters approximately 15–25 nautical miles offshore, covering an area of roughly 150 square miles.
- Transmission: Power will be conveyed to the grid through high‑voltage alternating current (HVAC) or high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables, with a planned on‑shore converter station near New Bedford.
- Timeline: Following receipt of required permits, the project entered a permitting and financing phase in 2023–2024. Construction is expected to span four to five years, after which the facility will enter a 20‑year operational period, extendable under existing agreements.
- Environmental and Stakeholder Considerations: Environmental impact assessments have addressed marine ecology, fishing activities, and visual impact. The developers have engaged with local communities, indigenous groups, and state agencies to mitigate concerns and incorporate mitigation measures.
Related Topics
- Offshore wind power in the United States
- Ørsted US Offshore Wind
- Eversource Energy
- Vineyard Wind (another Massachusetts offshore wind project)
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
- Renewable energy policy in New England
Note: All information presented reflects publicly available data as of 2024 and is subject to change as the project progresses through development and regulatory stages.