Deal struck to bring offshore wind to Brayton Point in Somerset

Somerset, Massachusetts—May 27, 2021— Mayflower Wind and Anbaric Development Partners (Anbaric) today announced that they have signed an agreement for Mayflower Wind to use transmission assets developed by Anbaric to bring offshore wind to Brayton Point. Mayflower Wind will bring wind energy from its federal offshore energy lease area to Brayton Point which will lay the foundation for the broad repowering of Brayton Point.

According to a statement, the Mayflower Wind offshore wind energy project will use state-of-the-art high voltage direct current technology that minimizes marine cabling, reduces energy losses, and strengthens the New England grid. Over the past three years, Anbaric has taken steps to develop the site as an optimal location to integrate offshore wind into the New England electric grid. Throughout that time there have been many collaborative conversations between Anbaric and Mayflower about the electrical connection that would be a key element in the regeneration of Brayton Point.

When fully built out, and with continuing advancements in wind technology, Mayflower Wind’s lease area will supply over 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind, enough to power nearly a million homes, according to the company. Mayflower Wind will be using the existing grid connection.

“Mayflower Wind is committed to helping Massachusetts and New England achieve their ambitious clean energy goals,” said Mayflower Wind CEO Michael Brown. “The transmission infrastructure at Brayton Point initially developed by Anbaric and now owned by Mayflower, will help us make those goals a reality. We look forward to collaborating with the community as we invest in and develop this project to bring clean energy to Brayton Point and beyond.”

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Mayflower Wind to bring our unique expertise to scale offshore wind and achieve renewable energy goals,” said Anbaric CEO Clarke Bruno “Brayton Point is a unique site to bring offshore wind to our shores while also bringing infrastructure investment and responsible development to the local community.”

“This marks the beginning of positive change for Brayton Point, and puts this piece of land on a path toward becoming a thriving hub for offshore wind,” said State Representative Haddad. “Anbaric had the early vision to bring offshore wind to Brayton Point. Repurposing this valuable grid infrastructure for offshore wind is the first step to growing the industry right here in Somerset and realizing a vision that has been years in the making.”

“The South Coast has a rich history of changing with the times and finding new ways for our communities to thrive and succeed,” stated State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). “As a new and exciting opportunity for our region, offshore wind will build a path to prosperity, tapping into the ocean as a resource that has so long been the mainstay of our economy and our culture. With today’s announcement, Brayton Point is going to play a major role in our clean energy future, ensuring Somerset and the entire South Coast will benefit from the rapidly expanding offshore wind industry here in the Commonwealth.”

“Bringing offshore wind power to Brayton Point is a critical step in building the clean energy economy in Massachusetts. We must turn the climate crisis into an opportunity to create jobs while protecting the planet for the next generation. That is why I am advocating for federal funding for workforce development initiatives like Bristol Community College’s National Offshore Wind Institute. In partnership with educators like Bristol and with offshore wind developers like Mayflower, the offshore wind industry can do for the South Coast what life sciences did for Cambridge 20 years ago – become an engine of economic development and innovation.” U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss

“Offshore Wind is the next great economic engine for our region,” Said One SouthCoast Chamber Co-CEO Rick Kidder. “We welcome this development, moving that new bright future closer to reality.”

“Bristol Community College and our National Offshore Wind Institute are dedicated to supporting the offshore wind industry in the U.S. and the communities we serve throughout southeastern Massachusetts,” said Bristol Community College President, Laura L. Douglas, Ph.D. “Mayflower’s decision to revitalize Brayton Point as a landing point for its cables is a further vote of confidence in our region’s new and exciting future.”

“This site was once the largest fossil fuel plant in New England. We applaud that it is being repurposed to deliver renewable energy from the clean, abundant wind off of our shores,” said Elizabeth Henry, President of the Environmental League of Massachusetts.

For 50 years, Brayton Point was home to the 1,600 MW coal-fired Brayton Point Power Station, the largest coal-fired power plant in New England and the last in Massachusetts. The plant was closed in 2017.

Some residents have taken issue with the activities that are currently taking place at the Brayton Point facility including air, water, noise, and land pollution.