Connecticut Wind Collaborative Launches, Targets Regional Offshore Wind Projects

February 5, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The Connecticut Wind Collaborative has been launched with the formation of an initial board of directors. The collaborative is part of the state’s offshore strategic roadmap, announced last October, which calls for the new nonprofit to work collaboratively with various parties and stakeholders to advance the regional supply chain, as well as in conjunction with neighboring states.

In addition to supporting and promoting offshore wind activities taking place across the state and executing work identified by the Roadmap, the Wind Collaborative will work in conjunction with neighboring states to establish and lead an inclusive regional offshore wind industry cluster.

A Connecticut wind industry cluster will offer a centralized critical mass of expertise and shared resources to support growth, attract investment and talent, and foster innovation, across Connecticut and throughout New England, according to the organisation.

The Wind Collaborative is being incubated within the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer).

The collaborative and seCTer have entered into a Shared Services Agreement, through which seCTer will provide office space, financial and administrative support to the Wind Collaborative to ensure the stability of the new nonprofit organisation’s operations, according to the press release.

Seed funding for the Wind Collaborative includes USD 577,500 from the joint venture of Ørsted and Eversource, as part of their supply chain and workforce development commitments tied to their 704 MW Revolution Wind offshore wind project.

Connecticut is set to receive the first electricity generated by offshore wind turbines in 2025 when the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm is expected to be fully operational.

“Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Strategic Roadmap emphasizes collaboration and how crucial it is to accelerate the equitable and sustainable growth of the region’s clean energy future,” said Ray Collins, Manager of Government Affairs, Eversource.

“At Eversource, we firmly believe collaboration is critical to ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for everyone, and we are excited to support the Connecticut Wind Collaborative’s mission in the coming years as we bring more clean, renewable offshore wind energy to New England’s electric grid.”

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In September 2023, nine East Coast states (Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island) and four federal agencies (the Departments of Energy, Interior, Commerce, and Transportation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen regional collaboration on offshore wind supply chain development.

A month later, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut signed a MoU that enables the three states to employ a coordinated selection of offshore wind projects through each of their respective offshore wind energy generation solicitations.

Responses to all three states’ solicitations are due 27 March.