Connecticut Launches 2-Gigawatt Offshore Wind Solicitation

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the state’s first solicitation dedicated to offshore wind power, seeking proposals for up to 2 gigawatts, according to an Aug. 19 press release. The state’s multi-resource solicitations held in 2018 resulted in the selection of 300 megawatts of the Revolution Wind project being developed by Denmark-based Orsted A/S and Eversource Energy.

The offshore wind RFP stems from legislation enacted in June that authorizes the state to purchase up to 2 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, equivalent to 30 percent of the state load. The law requires the department to select proposals through one or more solicitations and direct the state’s electric distribution companies to enter into power purchase agreements of up to 20 years.

There is no minimum amount that must be procured under this RFP and the selection will depend on projects demonstrating that they are in the best interest of ratepayers. The agency noted that the timeline aligns with a similar solicitation by Massachusetts, “enhancing competition and urgency as the federal production tax credit that benefits wind production sunsets at the end of the year.”

A bidders conference is scheduled for Aug. 29. Bids are due by  Sept. 30.