The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for offshore wind projects on Tuesday, thus reopening the bidding process, the Associated Press informs.
Following the approval of a bill earlier this month , which is aimed at giving a chance to the University of Maine to build its offshore wind project, this move allows other bidders to compete by turning in their applications by September 1.
In January, the PUC gave the go-ahead to Statoil’s Hywind Maine project, which includes the deployment of four floating wind turbines 12 miles southeast of Boothbay Harbor. As a consequence of these latest legislative changes, Statoil informed PUC that it is putting the project on hold, saying that the reopening of the bidding process created an uncertain environment for the company to proceed with the development.
The floating turbines, with a total capacity of 12MW, were supposed to be deployed in 2016.
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Offshore WIND Staff, July 11, 2013; Image: DOI