Massachusetts offshore wind project "no longer viable"

[rangerrebew]

Massachusetts offshore wind project "no longer viable"
NOVEMBER 2, 2022
tags: wind power
By Paul Homewood
h/t Dave Ward

But surely wind power is now the cheapest source of electricity? So how comes it’s not viable?
 
A wind energy company named Avangrid has been in the process of developing a massive offshore wind farm called the Commonwealth Wind project, working with the support of the state of Massachusetts for several years. When completed, it was to be a 1,200-megawatt energy source. A second offshore project from Mayflower Wind was to produce an additional 400 megawatts. But now, the companies behind both of these projects have asked the state to put the plans on hold. The reason given was that the projects are “no longer viable” under the current conditions and they will be unable to move forward for the time being. But the reason for hitting the brakes has little to do with technology or weather and a great deal to do with the economy. (New Bedford Light)

A major offshore wind project in the Massachusetts pipeline “is no longer viable and would not be able to move forward” under the terms of contracts filed in May. Both developers behind the state’s next two offshore wind projects are asking state regulators to pause review of the contracts for one month amid price increases, supply shortages and interest rate hikes.

Utility executives working with assistance from the Baker administration last year chose Avangrid’s roughly 1,200-megawatt Commonwealth Wind project and a 400 MW project from Mayflower Wind in the third round of offshore wind procurement to continue the state’s pursuit of establishing cleaner offshore wind power. Contracts, or power purchase agreements (PPAs), for the projects were filed with the Department of Public Utilities in May.

As noted above, these wind farms aren’t being put on hold because the wind suddenly stopped blowing offshore. (Though that does happen from time to time.) Nor were the developers running into problems with their turbines, or at least no more than usual. As with so many things in American politics and the industrial sector… it’s the economy, stupid.

 https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2022/11/02/massachusetts-offshore-wind-project-no-longer-viable/

[DefiantMassRINO]

Cape Wind was never viable.

An interesting read from the Town of Hull, Massachusetts, about their wind turbines.

https://www.town.hull.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif3286/f/news/hull_light_wind_turbine_update_information.pdf

Town of Hull Municipal Lighting Plant

Hull, Massachusetts 02045

PANOS TOKADJIAN
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Hull Wind 1 and 2 updates

I wanted to update the residents of Hull on the status of the wind turbines. Over
the past few months we’ve had problems with both turbines resulting in extended
periods of time when they did not operate.

Hull Wind 2, which is located in the landfill, was down for approximately one
month this winter due to broken yaw motor gears. Yaw motors are what rotate
the turbine to align it in the direction of the wind. There are four motors in the
turbine, and all four gears needed to be replaced. Due to its age, parts had to be
special ordered by the technical repair team, as they are no longer in the
manufacturer’s inventory. It has since been repaired and is back in service.

Hull Wind 1, located next to the High School, has been out of service for
approximately two weeks. Initial diagnosis showed wear on the bearings inside
the gearbox. A more detailed inspection will be done in the next couple of weeks
to determine the true cause and formulate a plan. We will keep you posted as
this progresses.

Both turbines are now over 15 years old, with Hull Wind 1 entering its 21st year in
service. As with everything mechanical, they are bound to suffer from wear and
tear of normal use, especially while exposed to the harsh and unforgiving
elements of coastal New England. Additionally, due to their age and scarcity,
many of the parts needed to keep them functioning in top shape are either no
longer being manufactured, or not commonly available in the aftermarket, hence
the extended periods of time when something goes wrong with either one.

Town and Light Plant Manager, Phil Lemnios, along with the Light Board,
foresaw this scenario a few years ago, and created a Decommissioning Fund
specifically to address the future of the turbines, which have a useful life of
approximately 20 years. On Mr. Lemnios’ direction, Light Plant Engineering and
Operations staff has been researching all options, while keeping the vision of Hull
as being a leader in clean, non-carbon emitting and renewable energy.

Please keep checking back in the future as we will post updates as they happen.