Beacon Wind Project: Beacon Wind 1 and Beacon Wind 2 Construction and Operations Plan

Beacon Wind LLC (Beacon Wind) proposes to construct and operate an offshore wind facility located in the designated Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0520 (Lease Area). The Lease Area covers approximately 128,811 acres (ac; 52,128 hectares [ha]) and is located approximately 20 statute miles (mi) (17 nautical miles [nm], 32 kilometers [km]) south of Nantucket, Massachusetts and 60 mi (52 nm, 97 km) east of Montauk, New York. The Lease Area was awarded through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) competitive renewable energy lease auction of the Wind Energy Area (WEA) offshore of Massachusetts. Beacon Wind is a joint venture owned by Equinor U.S. Holdings, Inc. and bp Wind Energy North America, Inc.

Beacon Wind proposes to develop the entire Lease Area in two wind farms, known as Beacon Wind 1 (BW1) and Beacon Wind 2 (BW2) (collectively referred to hereafter as the Project). The individual wind farms within the Lease Area will be electrically isolated and independent from the other via transmission systems that connect two separate offshore substations to two onshore Points of Interconnection (POIs). However, if BW1 and BW2 both interconnect with the New York Independent System Operator (NY ISO), the Project will assess the possibility of cable linkage between BW1 and BW2. Each wind farm will gather the power from the associated turbines to a central offshore substation and deliver the generated power via a submarine export cable to an onshore substation for final delivery into the local utility distribution system at the selected POI. The purpose of the Project is to generate renewable electricity from an offshore wind farm(s) located in the Lease Area. The Project addresses the need identified by northeast states to achieve offshore wind goals: New York (9,000 megawatts [MW]), Connecticut (2,000 MW), Rhode Island (up to 1,000 MW), and Massachusetts (5,600 MW).

The Project components and locations presented in this COP have been selected based on environmental and engineering site characterization studies completed to date, existing information collection and analysis, as well as extensive engagement with regulators and stakeholders, and will be refined in the Facility Design Report (FDR) and Fabrication and Installation Report (FIR). The FDR/FIR will be reviewed by BOEM in accordance with 30 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 585.700-702 prior to Project construction. In addition, a Certified Verification Agent, approved by BOEM, will conduct an independent assessment and verify that the Project components are fabricated and installed in accordance with both this COP and the FIR. It is anticipated that the FDR/FIR submittal will be phased and will be developed on a component-by-component basis.

Volume 1: Project Description

Volume 2

• Volume 2a: Physical
• Volume 2b: Biological
• Volume 2c: Cultural
• Volume 2d: Visual
• Volume 2e: Social

Appendices

• Appendix A: Coastal Zone Consistency
• Appendix B: Summary of External Engagement Activities
• Appendix I: Sediment Transport Analysis
• Appendix J: Air Emissions
• Appendix K: In Air Acoustics
• Appendix L: Goal Post Modeling Memo
• Appendix M: USFWS IPaC State Listed RTE
• Appendix N1: Wetland Delineation Report NY
• Appendix N2: Wetland Delineation Report CT
• Appendix O: APEM Studies
• Appendix P: Avian Impact Assessment Report
• Appendix Q: Bat Survey Report
• Appendix R: Bat Impact Assessmen
• Appendix S: Benthic Resources Reports and Mapbooks
  • Benthic Resources Characterization Report: Lease Area
  • Benthic Resources Mapbook: Federal Waters
  • Benthic Resources Mapbook: Lease Area
  • Benthic Resources Mapbook: State Waters
• Appendix X: Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
  • KOP MV15 Wasque Morning
  • KOP Wasque Evening
  • KOP NA21 Madaket Evening
• Appendix X-2: Offshore Simulations KOPs
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 1
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 2
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 3
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 4
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 5
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 6
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 7
  • Offshore Simulation KOPs 8
• Appendix X-4: Offshore 
• Appendix X-5: Queens NY Onshore Simulation
• Appendix X-7: Waterford CT Onshore Simulation
• Appendix Y: Aircraft Detection Lighting System Analysis
• Appendix Z: Obstruction Evaluation & Airspace Analysis
• Appendix AA: Radar Line of Sight
• Appendix BB: Navigation Safety Risk Assessment
• Appendix CC: Offshore EMF Report
• Appendix DD:  Onshore EMF Report
• Appendix EE: Scour Analysis
• Appendix FF: Air Traffic Flow Analysis