Neptune Wind says it intends to develop, construct and operate a utility-scale offshore wind farm about 20 nautical miles south of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island border.
The Nomans wind project is being planned as a 500 MW generation facility and will employ next-generation offshore turbines designed for the strong wind regime in this area. Water depths range from 20 meters to 40 meters, requiring the use of a jacket structure foundation that can withstand harsh marine conditions, according to Neptune.
The company has qualified as a commercial energy leaseholder on the Outer Continental Shelf in the area of mutual interest that was identified by Rhode Island and Massachusetts in an agreement reached in July 2010.
Neptune Wind plans to submit a nomination for the proposed lease area by Oct. 3. In addition, the company plans to use a new portside facility in New Bedford, Mass., for some manufacturing and construction operations, but is also exploring port and other facilities in Rhode Island at Quonset Point to complement its New Bedford activities.
Neptune Wind submitted a nomination for a project in federal waters off the coast of New Jersey earlier this year and has expressed interest in other potential lease areas south and southwest of Nantucket Island.
