The states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut have announced New England’s first offshore wind multi-state coordination memorandum of understanding (MOU) to procure up to 6GW.
The MoU creates a pathway for a potential coordinated selection of offshore wind as each state solicits offshore wind energy generation through their respective state procurements.
Governor Maura Healey (pictured) announced the MoU at the American Clean Power Association’s Offshore WINDPOWER Conference in Boston.
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.
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.
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, according to the MoU.
Governor Healey said: “The climate crisis requires us to act in new and innovative ways.
“Massachusetts is proud to join with our neighboring states to continue to grow New England’s offshore wind industry.
“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 multi-state coordination 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).
American Clean Power Association (ACP) chief executive Jason Grumet responded to the news saying: “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.
“Today’s announcement is a bold way to drive cost efficiencies for projects across a broad swath of New England while promoting economic growth, enhancing security, and driving down energy costs.
“These states continue to establish themselves as leaders in clean energy, attracting investment, revitalizing domestic ports, developing domestic supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs across the region.”