South Coast Massachusetts is an ideal location for offshore wind energy. In order to develop a viable offshore wind farm, there are three initial siting factors that must be considered. Buzzards Bay meets all of the criteria.
Strong, steady wind speeds are one of the most important factors in siting a wind project. According to wind speed estimates prepared by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (in conjunction with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and Northeast Utilities), the average wind speed in Buzzards Bay is approximately 18 to 20 mph – some of the best wind available in Massachusetts.
The most cost-effective offshore projects are built in relatively shallow water approximately 50 to 60 feet deep and protected from the rough seas found in open waters. Buzzards Bay has suitable water depths and is sheltered from northeasterly storms.
An important consideration in building a wind project is minimizing the amount of transmission infrastructure that has to be constructed. This reduces the overall impact of the project and improves its economics. The South Coast offers several locations near existing lines and transmission stations that make it feasible to connect to the existing power grid.
There are numerous other criteria that will be taken into account when siting the offshore wind facility, including navigation channels, air traffic, aesthetics, impact on wildlife, ocean floor composition, and the location of existing cables and pipelines. Wind turbines will not be sited within the established commercial shipping channel in Buzzards Bay. Designed to be minimally visible from shore, navigation lights on the turbines will serve as beacons, alerting vessels operating in Buzzards Bay of turbine locations. Turbines will also incorporate lighting as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but this lighting is not required on every turbine. In addition, the project is being designed to have minimal impacts on wildlife.
As the project moves forward, we will create photosimulations of the proposed project areas to show what the turbines will look like from various points on land. |
