Author: RFP Admin

83C III Legal Authority Update

By this message, the Evaluation Team is informing bidders of changes in the underlying authority for the Section 83C Round 3 solicitation process/RFP. The RFP was filed and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) pursuant to Section 83C of An Act Relative to Green Communities, St. 2008 c. 169, as amended by St. 2016, c. 188, § 12 (“Section 83C”) and in accordance with Section 21(a) of Chapter 227 of the Acts of 2018, following the Department of Energy Resource’s (“DOER”) direction to require the Electric Distribution Companies (“EDCs”) to solicit 1,600 MW of Offshore Wind Energy Generation. Following the filing of the RFP, the Massachusetts Legislature passed legislation that increased the total solicitation target (including future solicitations) for Offshore Wind Energy Generation to a mandatory 5,600 MW total solicitation target. (see Section 91 of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy and Sections 69 and 72 of Chapter 24 of the Acts of 2021, An Act Making Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2022). The Evaluation Team has determined that the Section 83C Round 3 solicitation will now be conducted consistent with the provisions of Section 91 of Chapter 8 of the Acts of 2021 and Sections 69 and 72 of Chapter 24 of the Acts of 2021. Any Offshore Wind Energy Generation procured in this solicitation will count towards the statutory 5,600 MW total solicitation target. This change in authority does not impact, negate, or alter the terms of the RFP regarding bidders’ requirements and deliverables. The change in authority regarding the solicitation will be addressed in the EDCs’ filing with the DPU for its review and approval of any and all executed purchase power agreements following selection of bids submitted consistent with the RFP.