NRG Bluewater Selected for PPA in Maryland

“We commend Maryland for its vision in developing offshore wind resources,” said Drew Murphy, NRG Energy’s Northeast regional president. “This project also helps meet the state’s renewable portfolio standard, and advance the commercialization of clean energy technologies in a competitive manner.”

NRG Bluewater Wind is expected to receive this PPA later this month from the University of Maryland. The company also has a 25-year, 200 MW PPA with Delmarva Power & Light Company.

In 2008, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley successfully championed the effort that more than doubled Maryland’s renewable portfolio standard that requires utilities to purchase 20% of their power from clean energy sources by 2022.

“These state leaders recognize the potential of a regional offshore wind industry to provide jobs as well as clean energy alternatives,” said Peter Mandelstam, President of NRG Bluewater Wind. “Offshore wind is established in Europe but new for the United States, and it produces reliable and emission-free power close to higher population areas, which makes it an attractive and valuable renewable resource.”

The State of Maryland, in partnership with the University of Maryland, designed the “Generating Clean Horizons” request for proposal (RFP) program to help spur development of commercial-scale renewable energy projects.

The Generating Clean Horizons award supports and helps realize the recently signed tri-state partnership by the Governors of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware, which calls for the Mid-Atlantic States to leverage resources to bring offshore wind energy to the region.