June 11, 2018 — The Malloy administration on Wednesday directed the first-ever purchase of offshore wind power as part of more than 250 megawatts of clean energy projects.
The state also made a commitment to fuel cells, welcomed by one of two fuel cell manufacturers in Connecticut.
Six projects selected by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection include 200 megawatts of offshore wind from Deepwater Wind, which is harnessing wind off Block Island and Long Island. The Connecticut project will contribute to 400 megawatts selected by Rhode Island.
The Malloy administration also directed that 52 megawatts of fuel cell energy be generated, including projects in Colchester, Derby, Hartford and New Britain.
In addition, 1.6 megawatts of of energy will be generated by an anaerobic digestion project in Southington. The process uses microorganisms that break down biodegradable material.
“We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to invest in energy projects that reduce the impacts of harmful emissions,” Malloy said. “That’s why Connecticut is making investments in the technologies of the future, not of the past.”
The selections in this procurement are equivalent to about 5 percent of Connecticut’s load, or the amount of electricity that Connecticut consumes. Selected projects will now enter negotiations with Eversource and United Illuminating, the state’s two regulated utilities, to reach agreement on 20-year contracts.