A FRESH LOOK AT OFFSHORE WIND OPPORTUNITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

The utilization of offshore winds for generating electricity was first proposed in the early 1970's, specifically in regards to Massachusetts, by Prof. William Heronemus, a naval architect at the University of Massachusetts. Subsequent studies commissioned by the federal government concluded that offshore wind development anywhere would be unlikely. More recently, a number of European countries have begun to devote substantial effort to the development of their offshore wind resource. Now, with support from the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, attention is being focused once again on the Massachusetts offshore. It is now apparent that significant opportunities exist for offshore wind in New England. In a region whose inland resource is concentrated on ridges, where access may be difficult or expensive, the offshore resource holds the potential to provide substantial amounts of renewable energy to the region. The offshore regions contain relatively large areas suitable for ocean floor mounted wind turbines, as well as even larger areas which could be suitable for (as yet undeveloped) floating turbines. On the other hand, the region is also the site of large marine sanctuaries, and there are many other competing uses for the coastal waters. This paper reviews the extent of present offshore resource estimates and other issues related to the development of the resource, including water depths, regulatory and environmental issues, weather related issues, and the existence of the support infrastructure for offshore wind development. 1