Port and Infrastructure Analysis for Offshore Wind Energy Development

Tetra Tech helped conduct a first-of-its-kind study to analyze and identify port facilities in Massachusetts that have the ability to support commercial-scale offshore wind energy development along the northeast Atlantic coast.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative commissioned a team of experts to conduct the study, which consisted of an in-depth comparison of navigational, technical, and economic costs and benefits, as well as institutional factors for a number of candidate port facilities. On behalf of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Tetra Tech coordinated the multidisciplinary team of offshore wind energy developers, engineers, marine transport and installation vessel consultants, port and navigational specialists, economic impact modelers, and regulatory compliance specialists.

Tetra Tech established positive working relationships with key stakeholders in offshore wind development, especially those active in coastal waters of the northeastern United States. We compiled and analyzed information from manufacturer and developer interviews and published a clear, understandable matrix of port requirements.

The focus of the analysis was to specifically determine:

  • Characteristics of a port facility to be considered an appropriate staging point for commercial-scale offshore wind generation facilities
  • The difference between traditional port features and those required for delivery, storage, handling, and deployment of large offshore wind farm components
  • The navigational and facility needs of purpose-built installation and component delivery vessels
  • Port facilities that could be upgraded or expanded to be appropriate staging points, and the costs of such upgrades
  • The ability of facility improvements to attract wind farm developers and government investment

Tetra Tech issued the report on the team’s findings to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The report included a short list of candidate ports and a recommendation for one, providing a baseline for the development of a path-forward business plan.