Today, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the procurement of several new clean energy projects which would produce a total 518 megawatts of solar power and provide the state’s electric grid with 200 MW of renewable capacity. Perhaps most notable is the absence of any commitments to the tristate offshore wind project that Lamont has flirted with in the past.

“These selections will improve the reliability of the grid, save Connecticut ratepayers an estimated $424 million in energy supply costs during their first twenty years in operation, and increase the state’s electricity supply by 3 percent from clean, carbon-free resources,” read the announcement. “DEEP has also closed its solicitation for offshore wind resources without selecting any bids.”

Connecticut initially showcased interest in procuring off-shore wind power from projects located off the coast of Massachusetts, by announcing its entrance into a tristate procurement agreement with Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Lamont later showed signs of cold feet regarding the agreement, citing cost concerns. Perhaps the strongest indicator of the state’s backing out of the agreement was its failure to join Massachusetts and Rhode Island in their procurement of 2,878 megawatts from three offshore wind projects this September.

“We took a pass on this round,” said Gov. Ned Lamont in a press conference held after today’s Bonding Commission meeting. “Every state has got different priorities about how we increase capacity, which is how ultimately we’re going to bring down the cost of electricity in as green a way as we can.”

The three renewable energy generating projects that DEEP did select today are all solar; one is a 200-MW solar farm that would be located at the site of the former Monrovia Nursery in Granby and East Granby, another is a 250 MW project located in Maine, and another Maine-located projected that would develop an additional 68 MW of energy. These three projects are expected to save 57 cents in ratepayers’ monthly bills.

The fourth project selected by DEEP was not a generator, but a 200 MW battery storage located in Milford. The project is the first grid-scale storage project selected by DEEP as part of the state’s initiative to create 1,000 MW of energy storage by 2030.

“We are pleased to announce the selection of new grid-scale solar and battery storage projects that will provide affordable, reliable clean energy to Connecticut residents and businesses,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “These selections represent continued progress toward securing a diverse portfolio of energy resources to meet Connecticut’s growing needs.” 

Senate Republicans, who have long cast a wary eye towards Lamont’s interest in wind procurement, celebrated the state’s non-commitment to any wind projects in DEEP’s procurement announcement.

“Make no mistake: The Lamont administration made this decision because it had no answers for the questions Republicans had been asking. For example: ‘How much money would this cost already overburdened ratepayers?,” read a statement released by Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) and Sen. Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield). “Republicans view this decision as a big victory.”

Despite today’s announcements, Dykes said at today’s press conference that the state will remain open to procuring more energy from offshore wind projects in the future, and remains committed to working with its New England neighbors to ensure the region’s shift to renewable energy.

“This year, what we saw rise to the top were the solar and storage projects, but we’re still very committed to offshore wind,” said Dykes. “We know that we’re going to need all these different energy supply resources in order to support our growing economy, and we’re going to continue to be working with Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the other New England states.”

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