Brandon Baker | January 3, 2014 3:27 pm
The Earth Policy Institute listed the Cape Wind project as one of three possibilities for the
first offshore wind farm in the U.S., and a recent agreement makes that even more likely.
Siemens signed a contract before New Year’s that will allow the German company to supply the $2.6 billion
Cape Wind farm with 130 turbines for a potential output of 468 megawatts (MW), according to
My Wind Power System. That amount is enough to power 75 percent of Cape Cod and the Islands.
In addition to the 3.6-MW turbines, Siemens will also provide an
offshore electric service platform (ESP), maintenance and service for
the first 15 years of commercial operation.
An artist’s rendering of the Cape Wind Farm and a boat tour of the farm. Photo credit: Cape Wind
“This is a significant milestone for this project and we’re excited
about it,” Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said. “Massachusetts will be
a pioneer in the emerging offshore wind industry, which brings with it
both clean energy and good jobs.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the nation’s coastal
regions have the potential to host more than 4.1 million MW. Shallow
waters along the eastern seaboard alone could host could host 530,000
MW, capable of covering more than 40 percent of the country’s
electricity generation.
Cape Wind received
local, state and federal permitting
in 2009 and 2010. The project was granted the first U.S. commercial
offshore wind lease in October 2010. Power purchase agreements were met
with National Grid and NSTAR between 2010 and 2012.
Siemens will subcontract the ESP to Cianbro, which will fabricate it
at its Maine facility. The ESP will be located in the middle of the
offshore wind farm site on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound. It will
transform the voltage of the power produced by Siemens’ turbines.
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