First Multi-State Offshore Wind Solicitation Receives Four Proposals

A multi-state solicitation by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island received project proposals from four project developers, according to a March 27 press release by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Connecticut issued a solicitation for up to 2,000 megawatts of offshore wind aligning with the procurement initiatives of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Last October, the three states unveiled a groundbreaking agreement to explore potential multi-state offshore wind procurements, paving the way for coordinated selection of competitive bids across the states’ individual procurement efforts. Combined, the solicitations aim to secure up to 6,800 megawatts of offshore wind capacity.

Avangrid, Orsted, Southcoast Wind Energy LLC, and Vineyard Offshore LLC submitted proposals in response to the solicitation. Connecticut’s procurement would add to the 304 megawatts of offshore wind power that the state will receive from the Revolution Wind project jointly selected by Connecticut and Rhode Island in an earlier procurement and currently under development.

Connecticut anticipates announcing in the third quarter of 2024 whether any projects will advance to power purchase agreement negotiations with the state’s electric distribution utilities. The evaluation criteria outlined in the solicitation include both quantitative factors like cost and energy market impacts, as well as qualitative aspects such as alignment with the state’s policy goals, public participation, environmental justice practices, labor utilization, economic development impact, and measures to mitigate environmental impacts. Any agreement reached between an offshore wind developer and the utilities must undergo review and approval by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.

The state is also actively soliciting proposals for other zero-carbon resources, including solar, onshore wind, and for grid-scale energy storage. Proposals for other zero-carbon resources were due on Jan. 31.  A request for proposals for grid-scale energy storage was issued on March 11, with bids due by April 18.