Massachusetts delays next offshore wind procurement until 2026

Key Points

• Massachusetts pauses fifth offshore wind procurement until at least 2026 due to federal uncertainty and ongoing contract negotiations.
• State officials emphasize commitment to diverse energy sources and aim for a flexible procurement schedule to benefit ratepayers.
• The Trump administration's shift towards fossil fuels further complicates offshore wind development in Massachusetts.

With the current batch of offshore wind talks facing prolonged headwinds, Massachusetts officials will keep the subsequent development round paused until at least 2026.

The state Department of Energy Resources said in a memo published Thursday that parties do not expect to submit a draft request for proposals for the fifth offshore wind procurement, which would contain "a proposed timetable and method of solicitation for Department review," until next year at the earliest.

Officials cited delays in existing contract talks as well as "uncertainty from the federal government pertaining to offshore wind permitting and generally."

"Massachusetts remains committed to an all-of-the-above approach to energy, including offshore wind. But due to uncertainty surrounding federal permitting and tax credits in this moment, the state will not conduct an offshore wind procurement in 2025," said DOER spokesperson Lauren Diggin. "As we work to lower energy bills and meet growing energy demand, we are bringing more energy into Massachusetts with the completion of Vineyard Wind and the [New England Clean Energy Connect] hydropower line, advancing new strong solar programs, speeding up permitting, and pushing for more transmission to connect us to affordable energy. We will also develop a more flexible offshore wind procurement schedule so ratepayers can secure the best deals."

The move appears likely to further delay the eventual buildout of offshore wind power, an industry that state leaders have long targeted as vital to Massachusetts. Wind infrastructure has struggled to achieve liftoff here amid changing market conditions and more recently a shift in federal policy under President Donald Trump.

Contract talks are ongoing for the fourth round of procurement under a state law sometimes known as Section 83C. Project developers selected by the state were supposed to complete those negotiations with utilities by Aug. 14, 2024, but the deadline has been pushed back several times, most recently to Dec. 31, 2025.

"Section 83C Round IV contract negotiations need to conclude for such improvements to be fully understood and completely incorporated into the Round V procurement process," DOER attorneys Ben Dobbs and Colin Carroll wrote in the memo published Thursday.

The Trump administration has moved to deprioritize clean power including offshore wind. The Department of the Interior last month called for "elevated review" of decisions related to wind and solar energy facilities, a move it described as "levelling the playing field" for coal and natural gas.