The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has selected Vineyard Wind’s 804MW Park City Wind development as the successful project in the US state’s 2019 offshore wind solicitation.
Park City will now enter into contract negotiations with the state’s two utilities, The United Illuminating Company and Eversource Energy, for a contract with a 20-year term.
Vineyard Wind chief executive Lars Pedersen said: “Vineyard Wind is proud that our Park City Wind proposal was selected in this competitive process and we are excited to work with Governor Lamont and DEEP to deliver jobs and economic development opportunities to the Bridgeport region and meaningful reductions in harmful carbon emissions.
“[The] announcement takes Connecticut one step closer to being the epicenter of the new offshore wind industry, with thriving ports in both Bridgeport and New London.
“We look forward to building on the work already underway with a network of project partners, local officials, the maritime community, other developers, and all stakeholders involved to make Connecticut a hub for the offshore wind industry in the US for decades to come.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said: “Connecticut is diversifying its offshore wind portfolio with this latest procurement selection, which sets up Connecticut as a regional leader in the creation of a thriving industry that will bring tangible benefits for our state and the entire region.”
DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes said: “The climate crisis is no longer a future problem, and the time for action is now.
“The selection of this project – the largest renewable purchase in Connecticut history – demonstrates that a zero-carbon electric future is attainable in a relatively short period of time.
“By leveraging competition, DEEP is securing the best value for ratepayers as we advance climate solutions and grow clean energy jobs here in our state.”
The project also includes an estimated $890m in direct economic development in Connecticut, including Bridgeport Harbor and the local supply chain.
Park City Wind also includes a commitment to “pay no less than the prevailing wage and to negotiate in good faith for a mutually agreeable project labour agreement”, DEEP said.
Vineyard Wind estimates 2,800 direct full-time employment years will be created in Connecticut through the project.
Vineyard Wind is a 50:50 joint venture of Avangrid Renewables, the US subsidiary of Iberdrola, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.
Iberdrola global managing director for offshore wind Jonathan Cole said: “Connecticut is showing real ambition in supporting a major offshore wind project that will deliver clean energy for thousands of homes and businesses across the State.
“It is a bold statement of intent and puts Connecticut at the forefront of the growing offshore wind industry in the US.
“I would expect to see companies from all across the offshore wind supply chain accelerating their US growth plans on the back of this announcement.
“This decision reinforces the view that offshore wind will deliver significant environmental and economic benefits for towns and cities across the US in the years ahead.”
The other bidders that took part in the solicitation were a joint venture of Orsted and Eversource and Mayflower Wind, a JV of Shell and EDP Renewables.