Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have announced New England’s first offshore wind multi-state memorandum of understanding, designed to create the means for a potential coordinated selection of offshore wind projects as each state solicits generation through their respective state procurements.
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. In coordinating, the states will amplify efforts to foster regional economic development, create high-paying, in-demand jobs, and promote environmental justice and equity.
The three states request 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 GW of offshore wind. Actual project selections will depend on states’ individual assessments of proposals’ costs and benefits to ratepayers and other evaluation criteria specified in states’ requests for proposals. 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.
“Massachusetts is proud to join with our neighboring states to continue to grow New England’s offshore wind industry,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “By working together, we can amplify the many benefits of offshore wind for all three states, including regional economic development opportunities, healthier communities, lower energy bills, and advantages to environmental justice populations and low-income ratepayers.”
The MOU is an agreement between the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER).
“Tough challenges require creative solutions, and we applaud Governor Healey and Governors Ned Lamont of Connecticut and Dan McKee of Rhode Island for joining together as a region to embrace the clean energy future,” comments American Clean Power Association (ACP) CEO Jason Grumet. “Today’s announcement is a bold way to drive cost efficiencies for projects across a broad swath of New England.”
The MOU can be found at the following respective state energy office websites: Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
