MassCEC Seeks Potential Offshore Wind Hubs in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has kicked of a search for underdeveloped waterfront sites within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that could be acquired and potentially improved through private investment to become suitable facilities to support near-term and long-term offshore wind activities.

MassCEC is now seeking proposals from an engineering team with the necessary expertise to prepare a Ports and Infrastructure Assessment in order to assess available waterfront sites which could serve the purpose.

While the majority of the staging of turbine components will be done at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, the offshore wind industry has identified additional activities, including the construction and staging of foundations, manufacturing of components, and long-term operations and maintenance facilities, that may require secondary locations, MassCEC said.

The assessment will assist and inform the offshore wind industry in their decision-making process in selecting locations in Massachusetts by providing detailed engineering information of waterfront properties in the Commonwealth that can support and service the offshore wind market in Massachusetts and along the US East Coast.

Through this request for proposals, MassCEC seeks statements of qualifications, proposed work plans and budgets from eligible respondents that can assist MassCEC in this effort.

MassCEC expects to enter into a contract with one or more eligible respondents to prepare the assessment.

The agency has established a budget of up to USD 250,000 for contracted assistance with the Ports and Infrastructure Assessment.

Applications may be submitted no later than Friday, 23 December, 2016 at 4 pm local time.