The Delaware legislature has passed Senate Bill 265, also known as the Delaware Energy Solutions Act of 2024, which allows up to 1.2 GW of offshore wind energy procurement in the state.
“Passage of the Delaware Energy Solutions Act represents a pivotal moment for Delaware and an important milestone for the offshore wind industry up and down the East Coast,” says Sam Salustro, vice president of strategic communications at Oceantic Network.
“Delaware has always been an offshore wind pioneer and critical thought leader in the industry. The state now takes its rightful place as an active offshore wind state ready to play an important role supporting development of the regional supply chain.”
The bill encourages regional cooperation and also includes provisions that will allow for the streamlined development of onshore transmission, helping to build a stronger regional market.
The Oceantic Network says that when signed into law, Delaware will join fellow East Coast states as an active buyer of offshore wind power generation with its new procurement goals and authority. Passage will also allow the state to capture even more of the economic benefits sparked by offshore wind development, including well-paying jobs associated with the area’s developing offshore wind supply chain.
The bill now moves to Gov. John Carney, who is expected to sign the legislation.
