About the Proposal

Prysmian is proposing to build the first offshore wind cable manufacturing facility in Massachusetts at the site of a decommissioned coal-fired power plant in Somerset to support offshore wind power and a transition to clean energy.

The proposal represents an investment of more than $250M and consists of a state-of-the-art cable manufacturing plant with an accessary docking facility – new inshore platform, in-water cable delivery system, outshore platform and fixed dolphin structures. The cable will be produced in the factory and the docking facility components allow the finished high voltage subsea power cable to be transferred from the factory to the cable laying vessel for delivery and installation.

Prysmian ships will dock at the factory 7-10 times per year to load cable. The pulling of cable happens 24 hours/day for anywhere from 7-14 days. Loading 24 hours/day reduces the number of days the vessels need to be at the facility.

While at the docking facility the vessels are pulling cable from the factory and as such need to be running. While pulling cable, the vessel is not operating at full capacity but instead at roughly 20% of capacity. Using the Prysmian’s Leonardo Da Vinci, the most advanced cable laying vessel in the world, as an example – the vessel uses 35 tons of fuel at full power during steaming, while in port loading cable, the vessel uses 6 tons of fuel.

The facility will generate millions of dollars in new annual tax revenue to help stabilize property taxes for Somerset residents and fund vital services for the Town.

The project will create 50-80 construction jobs and approximately 300 permanent, high-paying jobs when all phases are complete.