NEW BEDFORD — Offshore wind energy developer Vineyard Wind, which opened a New Bedford office in the Bank of America building in the spring, will hold a ribbon cutting and reception June 29.
Vineyard Wind is one of three developers vying to build the first utility-scale wind-power project off the coast of Massachusetts.
The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at 700 Pleasant Street, Suite 510.
The next day, a request for proposals is due out for wind projects. A state law signed last summer requires electricity distribution companies — Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil — to buy long-term contracts for at least 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power in the next decade, enough to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
The electric companies have to solicit bids jointly by June 30 for the first project, which must provide at least 400 megawatts of power.
Scheduled to attend the Vineyard Wind opening are New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and state Representatives Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford), Pat Haddad (D-Somerset), Robert Koczera (D-New Bedford), and Paul Schmid (D-Westport).
Vineyard Wind is excited to be part of the community, spokesman John Lamontagne said in an interview.
Erich Stephens, CEO of Vineyard Wind, said in a press release that the company is thrilled to have local leaders join the celebration.
“Offshore wind will bring real economic opportunity to this region,” he said.
Vineyard Wind’s project area is about 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Of the three wind developers, two — Vineyard Wind and Deepwater Wind — have offices in New Bedford. DONG Energy has an office in Boston.
Original story here.