Connecticut Releases Draft Offshore Wind RFP

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Bureau of Energy Technology Policy have issued a Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 2,000MW of offshore wind energy.

The RFP comes as Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont signed into law the House Bill 7156, An Act Concerning the Procurement of Energy Derived From Offshore Wind.

The Draft RFP is now open for review and comments, with the submissions due by 15 July 4:00 p.m. local time. The final solicitation is due to be released on 15 August.

“We congratulate the state of Connecticut for moving so quickly in preparing their first major Draft RFP for offshore wind energy,” said Liz Burdock, CEO and President of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.

“I believe this solicitation will accelerate the region’s investments in ports like New London and Bridgeport, and allow Connecticut suppliers to be active participants in the regional offshore wind supply chain.”

The bid due date will be 30 September, while DEEP is expected to announce the solicitation decision in November.

To remind, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 134-10 in favor of the legislation in mid-May authorizing the development of the additional 2,000MW of offshore wind capacity in the state. A month later, the Connecticut State Senate unanimously approved the procurement of the capacity.