States Overview

Each of the six New England states offers unique potential for offshore wind and plays a key role in helping our region meet its collective clean energy and decarbonization goals. While each state holds individual considerations and perspectives for offshore wind development, unity for the shared mission of responsibly advancing New England’s offshore wind potential unites them all. Cross-state dialogues help ensure regional collaboration, which is key to the responsible development of offshore wind, addressing common challenges, and accomplishment of a shared vision for the future of our green economy and regional electric grid.  

Individual & Collective Goals 

Several New England states have offshore wind procurement targets, which will help them achieve regional carbon emissions reduction mandates of 80% below 1990s levels by 2050. Rhode Island’s Block Island Wind Farm served as New England’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, and the region currently has six offshore wind farms in the planning, approval, and development stages. State and independent analyses show that New England will need 30-45 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind to reach its climate goals by 2050. 

Offshore wind serves as a critical clean energy resource for meeting renewable energy targets outlined in state climate legislation and decarbonization goals. Each of the New England states plays a key role in the fight to combat the climate crisis through our unique access to this abundant coastal resource.  

New England Offshore Wind Procurements 

New England Offshore Wind Procurements Timeline  

State Status and Progress 

Connecticut  

Connecticut currently has a procurement target of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind energy, which would be enough to power 1 million homes. In 2019, Governor Ned Lamont also called on Connecticut to move towards a zero-carbon energy economy by 2040, a transition which would require a substantial amount of offshore wind energy.  

Targets:  

• 100% by 2040 zero-carbon electricity goal 
• 2,000 MW of offshore wind by 2030  

Offshore Wind Procurements to Date:  

• 1,158 MW 

Maine 

With an offshore wind procurement law in place as of July 2023 for 3 GW by 2040, Maine is a top player in regional offshore wind development. With significant technical potential relative to its energy demand and the strongest winds of the East Coast off its coast, offshore wind in Maine could power the state many times over. Maine is currently moving forward with planning a 11 MW single floating turbine through the University of Maine for development in 2023. The state’s Governor’s Energy Office submitted an application to the federal government for the nation’s first floating research array in federal waters to study and support commercial-scale floating offshore wind and inform best practices for development. This array would allow for the long-term study of the environmental and fishing impacts of offshore wind development, and help the region adapt practices to ensure the responsible development of this growing industry. 

Targets:

• 3 GW of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine by 2040
• 100% by 2050 renewable energy requirement  
• Carbon neutral by 2045 state emissions goal 

Procurements to date:  

• 11 MW 

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts is a leader in offshore wind procurements and policy, having contracted over 3,000 MW of offshore wind across 4 projects and boasting the greatest amount of offshore wind potential in the region. In 2016, it was the first state to pass offshore wind legislation, and it passed a comprehensive climate bill (An Act driving clean energy and offshore wind – H 5060) in July of 2022 that includes provisions to expand offshore wind and foster an inclusive industry. The state’s access to the Gulf of Maine will allow it to advance the large-scale developments it will need to meet its climate goals. 

In May 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources sought approval from regulators to go ahead with the state’s fourth round of offshore wind  solicitations, seeking to procure up to 3,600 MW.

Targets: 

• Mandated 85% greenhouse gas reductions and net-zero by 2050 
• 5,600 MW by 2027 

Procurements to date:  

• 3,241 MW 

New Hampshire  

In March 2021, Gov. Sununu signed executive order 2021-03 which ordered a number of state agencies to report on the potential greenhouse gas reduction for various levels of offshore wind development. In early 2022, two offshore wind bills passed with bipartisan support. One bill included language for requiring thorough environmental studies before approving offshore wind projects and the other focused on procurement standards and processes. This state’s proximity to the Gulf of Maine allows it a great resource for expanding its offshore wind resource. 

Rhode Island  

Boasting the nation’s first, commercial-scale offshore wind farm at Block Island, Rhode Island is a leader for offshore wind development. In June 2022, Gov. McKee signed 100% Legislation (H 7277A, S 2274A), calling on the state to meet 100% of its electricity needs through clean energy resources by 2033. The same summer, the RI General Court passed S 2583, which increases required procurements by an additional 600 MW-1 GW of offshore wind capacity and resulted in Rhode Island Energy releasing a request for proposals in October 2022 for up to 1 GW of new offshore wind.

Target 

• 1,030 MW 
• 100% renewable by 2033  

Procurements to date: 

• 430 MW