The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has delayed its timetable for bid selection in its fourth offshore wind solicitation.
In a letter dated 6 August, DOER informed the state's Department of Public Utilities (DPU) of the revised schedule, which accounts for the impact of a recently announced $389 million federal grant aimed at upgrading transmission infrastructure for offshore wind in New England.
DOER stated that the delay will allow for a thorough consideration of the new federal grant on the ongoing solicitation process. Originally scheduled to begin on 7 August, the selection of projects and the commencement of negotiations will now start on 6 September.
As a result of the postponement, the signing of long-term contracts and memorandums of understanding with DOER has been rescheduled from 9 October to 8 November. Additionally, the submission of long-term contracts for DPU approval has been extended from 13 November to 18 December.
