Connecticut teams with Massachusetts and Rhode Island in offshore wind initiative

Connecticut is partnering with Massachusetts, and Rhode Island on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the potential coordinated selection of offshore wind projects to serve the regional power needs.

Through this MOU, the three states will together seek multi-state offshore wind proposals that would expand benefits for the region, capture cost reductions by developing projects at scale, and develop into viable projects. The MOU is the first time that multiple states anywhere in the country have teamed up to coordinate their offshore wind pursuits.

The three states are requesting that offshore wind developers submit multi-state offshore wind project proposals for consideration by the soliciting parties through their respective offshore wind procurements for selection in 2024. Combined, the states’ solicitations are for up to 6,000 MW of offshore wind. Any two or three states may agree to select a multi-state proposal(s) up to each states’ procurement authority and split the anticipated megawatts and renewable energy certificates from a single project.

The MOU is an agreement between the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. The new partnership comes after Avangrid (NYSE:AGR) cancelled its power purchase agreements for offshore wind projects serving Connecticut and Massachusetts. The company said it would rebid on the contracts. https://westfaironline.com/energy/avangrid-cancels-power-purchase-agreement-on-park-city-wind-project/

“We can go further when we work together, and I’m excited to be collaborating with our neighbors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on this MOU, which opens up the potential for us to procure clean energy from offshore wind together at more competitive and affordable rates, for the benefit of the residents and businesses in our respective states,” said Connecticut’s Gov. Ned Lamont said.