Offshore wind power offers immense local, clean energy potential to the Constitution State. And, since Governor Lamont passed the largest authorization by load of any state of the region at 30%, Connecticut is wasting no time in its pursuit of the economic and environmental benefits of this pivotal clean energy resource. The 2019 legislation ensures that the market will be open only to projects committed to protecting local communities and wildlife. It establishes a precedent-setting commission on environmental standards consisting of scientists, organizations, and regional working groups to guide the industry each step of the way.

And there’s more — Connecticut’s investment in the redevelopment of New London’s State Pier into a state-of-the-art port facility will provide even more local economic benefit and help support the launch of the offshore wind industry in the northeast.

Milestones

• December 2019: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) selected Vineyard Wind’s bid for Park City Wind Project to provide the state 804 megawatts of offshore wind power. Learn more.
• August 2019: CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection held a bidders conference to allow bidders the opportunity to ask DEEP questions about the Request for Proposals. 
• August 2019: Five East Coast Governors, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Virginia sent a letter to Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross expressing their support for offshore wind power. Learn more.
• July 2019: CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a Request for Proposals, inviting developers to submit bids for up to 2,000 MW of offshore wind in the aggregate — enough to power a million homes! The RFPs included recommendations made by the commission on environmental standards to apply best practices for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating any impacts to wildlife, natural resources, ecosystems, and water access. Bids are due September 30 and DEEP will announce its decision in November. Learn more. 
• June 2019: Governor Ned Lamont signed into law An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived from Offshore Wind, kick-starting the industry by requiring the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection to initiate a solicitation 14 days after passage for up to 2,000 MW (or equivalent to 30 percent of state load) — the largest authorization by load of any state in the region!  Learn more.
• May 2019: Connecticut and its partners reached an agreement on a harbor development plan for State Pier in New London. Construction is expected to begin in January 2020 and finish in March 2022, contingent on state and federal permitting. Learn more. 
• December 2018: As part of a larger zero-carbon energy solicitation process, Connecticut agreed to procure 104 MW of additional offshore wind power from Ørsted US Offshore Wind, as an expansion of the 200 MW project selected in June, bringing the state’s total offshore wind generation commitment to 304 MW.
• October 2018: Danish offshore wind developer, Ørsted, acquired Deepwater Wind and announced that the new company, Ørsted US Offshore Wind, is committed to building Connecticut’s 200 MW project, anticipating its completion in 2023. Learn more.
• June 2018: Connecticut announced that it will purchase 200 MW of offshore wind power Deepwater Wind’s (now Ørsted) Revolution Wind project! Learn more.
• May 2018: Governor Malloy announced a $15 million state bond investment to prepare the Connecticut State Pier in New London for potential use in deployment of equipment and crew for any of the offshore wind power projects slated to advance in the region. Learn more.

What’s Next?

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is assessing the cumulative impact of offshore wind project development in federal lease areas. The cumulative impact study that is underway will inform the Environmental Impact Statement of Massachusetts’ 800 megawatt Vineyard Wind project, as well as the Environmental Impact Statements for all future offshore wind projects in the region. Once the study is complete mid-June, a public comment period will be announced. Contact us to receive updates and to get involved!