Avangrid is investing $13.7 million to modernize Massachusetts’ power grid

Offshore workers

BOSTON – Avangrid Inc. says she recently joined local officials to attend a ribbon cutting for the grid modernization of Phase 1 of Eversource’s Cape Cod solution in Bourne, Massachusetts.

As part of the New England Wind 1 project (formerly the Vineyard Wind South project), Avangrid has secured more than $13.7 million in grid modernization financing through a Transmission Support Agreement and a Large Generator Interconnection Agreement with Eversource.

Grid upgrades are designed to increase Cape Cod’s reliability and resiliency while providing the infrastructure needed to ensure energy delivery throughout the region.

The New England Wind System 1 Impact Study concluded that increasing the voltage to 345 kV of the 115 kV transmission line connecting the Bourne switchyard and the West Barnstable substation was a necessary grid upgrade.

With funding of over $13.7 million from Avangrid, the line was converted to a 345 kV line from Bourne Substation to West Barnstable Substation. The new line will initially be operated at 115 kV until the 345 kV GIS substation is built at Bourne and West Barnstable as part of Phase II of the New England Wind 1 power plant network upgrade.

With increased efficiency and additional planned upgrades, Cape Cod’s electric grid is expected to significantly increase reliability and resiliency thanks to investments supported by New England Wind 1.

New England Wind 1 is located in federal lease area OCS-A 0534, approximately 30 miles south of Barnstable, Massachusetts, and lands beneath the Craigville Beach parking lot. The project will be bordered by Vineyard Wind 1 to the south.

Avangrid says that if the New England Wind 1 project is selected in the current competitive bidding process, construction could begin as early as next year and reach commercial operation by the end of the decade.

May 23, 2024