Paul Moy
Professor Grace
EK132: Wind Energy
28 November 2012
Stronger Public Policy Needed in Massachusetts for Offshore Wind
Despite the potential for a large amount of offshore wind farms, the United States lags far behind the rest of the world in offshore wind production. In fact, only a single offshore wind farm has gained both state and federal approval, along with a lease and construction plan. However, this Cape Wind project in Massachusetts remains a long way from becoming operational, and construction has yet to begin. The project was reviewed four separate times under two different presidents, and opposition continues from several government officials, including Massachusetts’ own senator Scott Brown (Colman). Massachusetts needs stronger policies and incentives to support offshore wind farms if this project and any future projects hope to come to fruition. Europe serves as a model for the development of offshore wind farms, pioneering offshore wind power in Denmark and continuing to lead the way in countries such as Spain. Several obvious policy differences can be seen between these countries, successful in developing offshore wind capabilities, and Massachusetts. While the comparisons between European countries and an individual state seem strange, the United States’ system of separate federal and state governments leaves at least part of the responsibility for the development of offshore wind to the states, and so new policies must originate within these states to promote offshore wind energy.
The development of wind energy, while advantageous in its nature as renewable energy, shares the problem of all new technology: cost. Forty to fifty years of development are necessary before wind energy becomes commercially viable in a location (Meyer). This development will only succeed if there is a “higher willingness to pay for its performance advantages” (Wilson). For the most part, individuals and corporations do not have the necessary funds to pay higher rates for developing wind energy, so government support is essential. Offshore wind energy requires additional help, above and beyond that of land-based wind energy, because of the special complications due to salt, wind, and waves damaging the turbines. Denmark, the world pioneer in wind energy, made special provisions for offshore wind development, leading to a rapid growth until political instability and changing policies brought the growth to a standstill (Meyer). Spain then took over in wind power development, because of its status as a country “with larger exploitable wind resources and with higher electricity demands” than Denmark (Lewis). Massachusetts shares these important qualities, with population centers such as Boston using large amounts of electricity and the potential for 1,028 MW of wind energy, although only 64 MW are currently online. The proposed Cape Wind project would be 468MW, almost ten times the total amount of wind power now generated in Massachusetts (“Wind Power”).
The discrepancy between Spain’s and Massachusetts’ use of their respective available wind lies in Spain’s “stable, supportive government policies” (Lewis). Although many financial incentives exist for the development of renewable energy in Massachusetts, there are no provisions specifically for offshore wind projects. Instead, some of the wind-energy provisions apply to only land-based machines, such as the Commonwealth Wind Commercial Wind Program (“Massachusetts”). Although companies would already lean towards the cheaper land-based operations, bypassing the problems of installing and maintaining offshore wind farms, the lack of incentives for developing offshore wind also makes land-based operations more appealing. Germany, another country successful in developing offshore wind farms, has supportive policies similar to Spain’s. Not only does the German government guarantee that 100% of the renewable energy generated will be purchased at a minimum price by public grids, but it also has a policy in place to “speed up repayment of investment in offshore wind farms” with a feed-in tariff model (Kaya). Without similar measures, Massachusetts will not succeed in developing offshore wind farms.
Massachusetts is making strides towards developing offshore wind farms. Governor Patrick has “set an aggressive goal of having 2,000 megawatts of wind energy – most coming from offshore – by 2020” (Cassidy). According to Meyer, setting goals is an important step in developing new energy sources, and Governor Patrick’s statement demanding offshore wind energy should galvanize lawmakers and energy companies alike to take advantage of Massachusetts’ huge offshore wind potential. However, for this goal to become reality, Massachusetts needs more structured, supportive public policy to catalyze the offshore wind development. With the current public policy, the Cape Wind project has come to a standstill, uncertain of whether or not its energy will be purchased or passed over in favor of cheaper alternatives. Future projects face the same problems, including lengthy reviews and strong opposition, unless Massachusetts changes its policies to promote offshore wind development.
Works Cited
Cassidy, Patrick. “Massachusetts Offshore Wind Leases May Come by End of 2013.” Huff Post Green. The Huffington Post, November 2012. Web. 19 November 2012.
Colman, Zack. “Long-delayed offshore wind farm gets approval despite political pushback.” Energy & Environment Blog. The Hill, 16 August 2012. Web. 19 November 2012.
Kaya, Durmus and Fatma Canka Kilic. “Renewable Energies and Their Subsidies in Turkey and some EU Countries- Germany as a Special Example.” J. Int. Environmental Application & Science. Volume 7, Issue 1, pages 114-127. n.p., 8 February 2012. Web. 26 November 2012.
Lewis, Joanna and Ryan Wiser. “Fostering a Renewable Energy Technology Industry: An International Comparison of Wind Industry Policy Support Mechanisms.” Energy Policy. Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, November 2005. Web. 19 November 2012.
“Massachusetts: Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency.” DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency. Interstate Renewable Energy Council, 2011. Web. 19 November 2012.
Meyer, Niels. “Learning from Wind Energy Policy in the EU: Lessons from Denmark, Sweden and Spain.” European Environment. Volume 17, Issue 5. Wiley Online Library, 27 September 2007. Web. 19 November 2012.
Wilson, Charlie and Arnulf Grubler. “Lessons from the history of technological chance for clean energy scenarios and policies.” Natural Resources Forum. Volume 35, Issue 3, pages 165-184. Wiley Online Library, 21 June 2011. Web. 26 November 2012.
“Wind Power Creates Economic Development in Massachusetts.” Wind Energy Facts: Massachusetts. American Wind Energy Association, October 2012. Web. 19 November 2012.