Request for Public Comments on Draft RFP (83C III)

The Massachusetts Clean Energy initiative, under Section 83C III, issued a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for long-term contracts for offshore wind energy projects. The draft RFP, posted on February 8, 2021, sought public comment from stakeholders on the proposed terms and conditions for procuring offshore wind energy. The procurement aims to secure long-term contracts for clean energy from offshore wind projects to serve Massachusetts ratepayers, supporting the state's ambitious clean energy goals. The comment period allowed stakeholders to provide input on the draft RFP before the final version was issued. This round follows the previous 83C and 83C II solicitations, continuing the state's efforts to develop a robust offshore wind industry.

The draft RFP was made available for public comment on February 8, 2021. Stakeholders were invited to submit written comments by Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM. The process attracted comments from a wide range of parties, including developers (Equinor, Vineyard Wind, Bay State Wind, Mayflower Wind), industry associations (AIM, NECEC, RENEW Northeast), environmental groups (ELM, The Nature Conservancy), consultants (Burns & McDonnell, eWind Consultants), and local organizations (Town of Nantucket, MAPC). These comments covered various aspects of the proposed RFP, including project requirements, contract terms, economic development provisions, and environmental considerations. The significant number of comments reflects the high interest in Massachusetts offshore wind procurement.

The draft RFP is part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's ongoing offshore wind procurement under Section 83C of the Green Communities Act, as amended. This round, designated 83C III, follows previous solicitations and represents the third major procurement of offshore wind capacity. The final RFP, incorporating stakeholder feedback, was expected to solicit bids from developers for offshore wind projects that would deliver clean energy to Massachusetts over long-term contracts. Key elements typically include project size, delivery point, pricing structure, and requirements for job creation and local investment. The procurement is a key component of the state's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and to generate a significant portion of its electricity from offshore wind.