Orsted has been selected to provide 100MW of power to Connecticut from the Revolution Wind project off Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has chosen the project, which now totals 700MW, in its latest RFP, according to the developer.
Construction will start in 2022 and commissioning is due in 2023 subject to securing a PPA with the state’s power distribution companies and a final investment decision.
The project, which was acquired as part of the recent takeover of US developer Deepwater Wind, is already lined up to provide a further 200MW to Connecticut and 400MW to Rhode Island.
Orsted plans to build the projects in one construction campaign to unlock “significant procurement, construction and operational synergies”, it said.
The nearby 130MW South Fork, which is providing power to New York, will also be built in conjunction.
Officials in Connecticut said the 100MW has been locked in at price lower than the previous procurement for offshore wind.
The project will provide a range of economic benefits including “$7.5m to enhance the New London Port, $3m to fund the improvement of marine infrastructure in the Port of New London to support the Port’s existing maritime-dependent businesses”.
Offshore chief executive Martin Neubert said: “We’re happy to have been selected for contract negotiations as the only offshore wind project in this zero carbon RPF.
“Revolution Wind will contribute to Connecticut’s transition to clean energy and add to our attractive construction pipeline in New England which now totals 830MW.”
US offshore wind chief executive Thomas Brostrom added: “Offshore wind will bring long-term economic and environmental benefits to Connecticut, attract related industry and supply chain investments to the state, and support Connecticut’s transition to renewable energy sources.”
Nine solar projects totalling 165MW have also been selected in the solicitation.
“Make no mistake, we are facing a climate crisis with the future of the planet is at stake,” Governor Dannel Malloy said.
“Despite President Trump’s refusal to listen to scientists on this matter, the reality is that urgent and significant action is needed to dramatically reduce our dependence on carbon-based energy sources.”
He added: “In addition, we need to increase investments in clean energy like offshore wind, solar, and grid-scale storage. Should we fail to do so, we will fail to prevent the catastrophic outcomes that will result from climate change.”