The Business Network for Offshore Wind, a leading organization working to accelerate offshore wind energy deployment and build a dedicated domestic supply chain, applauds the announcement of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island allowing for joint solicitation of bids for offshore wind projects.
In total, these states are soliciting up to 6,000 MW of projects in 2024. Through this first-of-its-kind MoU, participating developers can propose multi-state projects to any or all of these three states, allowing for larger projects that will drive new investment in the supply chain and are more beneficial for ratepayers while posing less risk for project developers. Coinciding with the MOU, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced the publication of the state's Offshore Wind Strategic Roadmap and the launch of the nonprofit Connecticut Wind Collaborative to advance the offshore wind industry.
The October 5th announcements come on the heels of a September MoU between nine Northeast states and four federal agencies that created a framework for new regional partnerships focused on offshore wind supply chain development. As part of the Federal State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership, that MoU called on all signatories to collaborate in addressing national high priority gaps like port development, shipbuilding, and domestic steel production.
Liz Burdock, Founder and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind commented: "We want to congratulate the leaders of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for driving this bold regional cooperative framework that will unleash more investment, more job creation, and more benefits of offshore wind to Americans. For years, the Business Network for Offshore Wind has championed procuring offshore wind at scale, however, we were not thinking big enough. Procurement at this scale is exactly what industry needs to solve some of its most pressing issues. Big scale drives real cost reductions, fosters a pipeline large enough for new manufacturing investments, and should create enough certainty to entice developers and vessel owners to enter into framework agreements that would unlock capital sitting on the sidelines.
The New England coast is already a hub of activity, and this regional collaboration helps to maximize the hundreds of millions of dollars already dedicated to preparing ports like New London, Providence, and New Bedford, local workforces, and local supply businesses.”
