Massive Martha's Vineyard Wind Farm Approved

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — The largest offshore wind farm in the country was approved by Massachusetts officials Wednesday. Vineyard Wind was selected to build 106 wind turbines measuring about 600 feet 14 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. The farm is expected to produce about 2-6 percent of the state's total energy load and lead to the creation of 3,000 jobs, officials said.

“By positioning Massachusetts as a hub for the emerging offshore wind industry, this competitive procurement will ensure the Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in innovation and renewable energy generation," Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said in a statement. “Today’s announcement brings the Commonwealth one step closer to achieving our administration’s goals of creating a clean, reliable and cost-effective energy future for Massachusetts residents, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change."

The farm will produce about 800 megawatts of power. Construction is expected to start in 2019 and the farm is expected to go online in 2021.

The nation's first offshore wind farm went online in Rhode Island off Block Island in 2016. In December, the Cape Wind project abandoned plans to construct 130 wind turbines off Nantucket.

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• Cape Wind Abandons 130-Turbine Nantucket Sound Array

Photo: Wind turbines near Block Island, Rhode Island. (Credit: Michael Dwyer/Associated Press)