MA: Coal-Fired Power Plant Transitioning to Wind Power Station

With the U.S.’ emerging offshore wind industry in mind, the Brayton Point Power Station site in Somerset, Mass., will be rebranded as Brayton Point Commerce Center.

Once the largest coal-fired power plant in New England, the former Brayton Point Power Station will become a logistics port, manufacturing hub and support center for the offshore wind energy sector, says Commercial Development Co. Inc. (CDC), owner of the site.

To support its rebranding efforts, CDC has launched a website to provide regular updates as the project moves forward.

Brayton Point LLC, an affiliate of CDC, purchased the 308-acre property in January and is investing significant resources to transform the site.

For 50 years, Brayton Point was home to a coal-fired power plant that generated 1,600 MW of electricity to homes and businesses. According to CDC, this redevelopment project will return Brayton Point to a state of productivity and growth by using many of the same attributes that made the site successful in the past – 300 acres of waterfront property, a deep-water port capable of berthing large trans-Atlantic vessels and access to a strong local talent pool. Additionally, Brayton Point is now located in close proximity to designated offshore wind areas in the Atlantic Ocean.

“We believe the outstanding logistical attributes of Brayton Point, combined with public support for energy diversification, has created a historic opportunity to help advance the offshore wind energy sector with this development,” says Stephen Collins, executive vice president of CDC. “The acreage available will also give the Brayton Point Commerce Center the capacity to accommodate other industries, as well.”

“It is exciting to see Brayton Point evolve into the Brayton Point Commerce Center,” adds Massachusetts Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, D-Westport. “Adapting this strategically important site to better support the commonwealth’s energy diversification efforts will be beneficial to the area. Furthermore, Brayton Point is always a topic of conversation, so I am glad that the new website will offer transparency to the community.”