Connecticut has a strategic position between the offshore wind hubs of New York and New England but must take stronger steps to support infrastructure development and procurement to fully capitalise on its location, according to a new report released on Thursday.
The report, jointly published by the Connecticut Wind Collaborative and consultancy Xodus, outlines recommendations for enhancing the state’s role in the regional offshore wind sector amid broader industry challenges.
“While the offshore wind industry is facing headwinds and potentially slowing deployment, there is an opportunity to upgrade the infrastructure which will enable long-term, efficient build-out of the regional transmission network,” the report stated.
Connecticut’s offshore wind progress was seen to have stalled after it withdrew from a joint procurement effort with Rhode Island and Massachusetts last year. The report noted that “security around Connecticut’s future offshore wind pipeline is absent.”
To date, the state has secured power from Ørsted’s 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project, which is currently under construction. However, the report urged Connecticut to re-engage in multi-state efforts and consider implementing maximum and minimum capacity targets in future solicitations. It also recommended flexibility in project interconnection points and broader definitions of local content to include regional collaboration.
The report further calls on the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to take an active role in regional transmission planning and to involve offshore wind advocates in policy development.
“Immediate and continuous actions undertaken in the short term are expected to inform and contribute to a long-term effort and build-out in response to broader regional demands and pressures,” the report noted.
Connecticut’s local supply chain was also highlighted as a potential strength, with companies such as ThayerMahan, Sea Services North America, and Survival Systems USA identified as well-positioned to support operations and maintenance for offshore wind projects.
The report concludes that coordinated action across state lines, alongside targeted policy and industry engagement, will be critical for Connecticut to secure a meaningful role in the growing offshore wind sector.
