March 23, 2024 — Building massive power lines in the Atlantic Ocean could link not only new offshore wind farms but also onshore electricity grids from Maine to South Carolina, according to a report released Thursday by the Department of Energy.
The Atlantic Offshore Wind Transmission study, an analysis two years in the making from DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, found that a connected offshore wind network would cut down on grid congestion onshore and increase reliability of the electricity system overall. It would also allow power to flow to areas of high demand when needed as well as move from low-priced areas to high-price areas to cut electricity costs for consumers, according to DOE.
As one example, DOE said New England’s electricity system could be tied to the onshore grid in the mid-Atlantic via offshore networks.