Connecticut is Leading the Way in Offshore Wind

Connecticut is home to a burgeoning offshore wind industry, invigorated by the state’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon electricity by 2040. This commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, combined with a rich history of advanced manufacturing, uniquely positions Connecticut to provide industry support services and serve as a launchpad for offshore wind projects throughout the Northeast.

Additionally, its location near several offshore lease areas and its unobstructed deep-water ports present a strategic opportunity to site wind turbine component assembly and fabrication facilities as the industry continues to grow in the state.

To learn more about the offshore wind industry in the state, contact Saranda Belica at 860.571.6216 or sbelica@advancect.org.

Connecticut’s ambitious climate policy includes reducing greenhouse gasses by 45% by 2030 and achieving net zero carbon electricity by 2040.

Active offshore wind projects

The Largest Maritime Hub in the Northeast & 2nd Largest on the East Coast

Connecticut’s shipbuilding and ship repairing industry employs nearly 11,800 personnel, the largest concentration in the Northeast and second largest among all East Coast states combined (EMSI, 2021). Access to this pool of talent and training institutions provide an optimal set of skills to ensure the sustainable development and operation of offshore wind power in Connecticut.

Offshore Wind Initiatives

Offshore Wind Strategic Study

Commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, Ørsted and Eversource, the study created a list of recommendations for how Connecticut can build on its existing strengths and advantages to capture future benefits of the offshore wind industry.

Embracing the Potential of Offshore Wind in Connecticut

Build Back Regional Challenge Proposal through the U.S. Economic Development Administration

The Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and other stakeholders, put together the initial proposal that was awarded $500,000 in round one funding, which will allow Connecticut to develop a more detailed plan for round two consideration. The coalition proposed six projects to support the offshore wind sector, including diversifying and expanding the supply chain, providing waterfront industrial sites for development, and bringing innovative new products to production.

$1B Build Back Better Regional Challenge

Offshore Wind Energy and Grid Integration Research at Eversource Energy Center

With an eye toward making Connecticut a national leader in clean energy, Eversource and UCONN extended their joint commitment to the Eversource Energy Center into 2028, with the goal of accelerating research and adoption of blended energy sources, including solar, wind, hydrogen, fuel cell, and hydro, and to further modernize the regional power grid. This commitment to state-of-the-art offshore wind research will also engage underrepresented minority undergraduate students in all areas of sustainable energy research.

Offshore Wind Energy and Grid Integration | A Partnership of UConn and Eversource

Connecticut Initiative on Environmental Research of Offshore Wind (CIEROW) at UCONN

CIEROW is an interdisciplinary team of scientists with expertise in offshore research, physical and biological oceanography, and fish and shellfish biology/ecology. The goal of the initiative is to conduct targeted research in marine environments potentially impacted by offshore wind energy industry while also supporting the industry with enhanced monitoring, data analytics and modeling capabilities to assess and predict the performance of wind energy generation.

https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/cierow/

Naval & Maritime Consortium (NMC)

The Naval & Maritime Consortium (NMC) is part of the ecosystem of support available for BlueTech companies in New England. Through mentorship, collaboration, and business networking, the NMC creates opportunities for growth, so that its members can capitalize on the national undersea, maritime, and offshore wind supply chains.

Naval & Maritime Consortium – Connecting Connecticut's Naval & Maritime Industries

Workforce Development

One of Connecticut’s greatest strengths lies in is its existing and organic manufacturing assets which are fully capable of attracting, growing, and retaining the offshore wind supply chain, including aerospace and maritime manufacturing capabilities and advanced technologies. The state has several effective programs that it uses to develop its workforce and has a knowledge and talent base that could expand to develop a steady pipeline of qualified and highly skilled workforce for the offshore wind industry. From high-technology services associated with the aerospace industry to its rich history of working in the maritime environment, most notably with the submarine base and the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility, as well as its talented engineering workforce, with several nationally recognized universities, Connecticut is well-suited to meet the varied needs of the offshore wind industry, from the planning and design phase, through to construction and implementation, and throughout its life cycle into the O&M phase.

The Governor’s Workforce Council

Connecticut is Leading the Way in Offshore Wind

Active offshore wind projects

East Coast Offshore Wind Projects and Lease Areas

Revolution Wind

Park City Wind

Supporting Infrastructure Improvements

New Haven Harbor Navigation Project

Barnum Landing

State Pier

A Solid Foundation

The Largest Maritime Hub in the Northeast & 2nd Largest on the East Coast

Key Facts

Offshore Wind Initiatives

Offshore Wind Initiatives

Offshore Wind Strategic Study

Build Back Regional Challenge Proposal through the U.S. Economic Development Administration

Offshore Wind Energy and Grid Integration Research at Eversource Energy Center

Connecticut Initiative on Environmental Research of Offshore Wind (CIEROW) at UCONN

Naval & Maritime Consortium (NMC)

Workforce Development

Home to Offshore Wind Industry Leaders

Connecticut is Leading the Way in Offshore Wind

Active offshore wind projects

East Coast Offshore Wind Projects and Lease Areas

Revolution Wind

Park City Wind

Supporting Infrastructure Improvements

New Haven Harbor Navigation Project

Barnum Landing

State Pier

A Solid Foundation

The Largest Maritime Hub in the Northeast & 2nd Largest on the East Coast

Key Facts

Connecticut's Growing Offshore Wind Cluster

Offshore Wind Initiatives

Offshore Wind Initiatives

Offshore Wind Strategic Study

Build Back Regional Challenge Proposal through the U.S. Economic Development Administration

Offshore Wind Energy and Grid Integration Research at Eversource Energy Center

Connecticut Initiative on Environmental Research of Offshore Wind (CIEROW) at UCONN

Naval & Maritime Consortium (NMC)

Workforce Development

Home to Offshore Wind Industry Leaders