MHI Vestas has opened its office in Boston as the Danish-Japanese offshore wind OEM says it is advancing toward installation of its V164-9.5MW turbines at Vineyard Wind, the first commercial-scale offshore wind project in the US.
“Choosing Boston, and now opening the office, shows MHI Vestas’ commitment to the US offshore wind market and to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said MHI Vestas chief executive Philippe Kavafyan.
“We feel this is the right location to deliver on Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale, commercial offshore wind project in the US, and to contribute to future projects in the region.”
Avangrid’s 800MW Vineyard Wind project is currently engaged in financing discussions and expects to have all 800MW of the project in full operation already in 2021 to take advantage of a higher level of investment tax credits (ITC).
Initially, Vineyard had targeted 2021 to complete 400MW and May-June 2022 for the balance.
Massachusetts’ Department of Energy Resources (DOER) earlier this month had recommended doubling the state’s procurement of offshore wind to 3.2GW, arguing it would benefit billpayers.
Like other north-eastern US states, Massachusetts is in a race to establish as much of the nascent offshore wind supply chain in their state early on.
“By MHI Vestas establishing a presence in the Commonwealth, they show a firm commitment to partnering with those of us working to grow this new Massachusetts industry,” Massachusetts State Representative, Patricia Haddad, said at the office opening.
The new office will be led by Jason Folsom, MHI Vestas US sales director. The company has already hired its first staff members at the new location and said it will continue expanding for the foreseeable future.
