Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Robert Klee today announced that Connecticut has selected over 250 MW of clean and renewable energy projects as part of DEEP’s recent Clean Energy Request for Proposals.
The projects include the state’s first procurement of offshore wind, in addition to multiple fuel cell projects and a new anaerobic digestion facility.
“We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to invest in energy projects that reduce the impacts of harmful emissions,” said Gov. Malloy. “That’s why Connecticut is making investments in the technologies of the future, not of the past. These projects will result in thousands of new Connecticut jobs, helping to grow our economy, while doing so in a clean and sustainable way.”
“DEEP is focused on providing cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy to the residents and businesses of Connecticut,” said Commissioner Klee. “These six projects accomplish that goal at every step. Offshore wind, anaerobic digestion and fuel cells are the clean, resilient, and diverse energy sources that our state and nation need. Connecticut is showing the rest of the nation what the future of clean energy looks like.”
“These awards provide great environmental benefits to our state, but equally important is the fact they will generate economic development activity for years to come,” noted Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The projects selected are:
· 200 MW (824,830 MWh) offshore wind from the Revolution Wind Project (Deepwater Wind). This will be incremental to the 400 MW from the same project selected by Rhode Island.
· 52 MW (450,011 MWh) fuel cells including:
· Energy and Innovation Park New Britain (Doosan) 19.98 MW
· Colchester (Bloom) 10 MW
· Hartford Fuel Cell (Fuel Cell Energy) 7.4 MW
· Derby Fuel Cell (Fuel Cell Energy) 14.8 MW
· 1.6 MW (10,519 MWh) Anaerobic Digestion Southington (Turning Earth)
The competitive process and buying in bulk with other states in the region continues to successfully drive costs down while at the same time achieving a cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable electric grid. The selections in this procurement are equivalent to 4.7 percent of Connecticut’s load. Selected projects will now enter negotiations with the electric distribution utilities, Eversource and United Illuminating, to reach agreement on 20 year contracts. If successful, the contracts will be brought to PURA for final approval.
“Governor Malloy is setting the course for Connecticut’s clean energy future. We’re proud to partner with Connecticut to help the state achieve its bold renewable energy goals. Our Revolution Wind project will bring hundreds of new direct jobs to Connecticut and deliver affordable, homegrown energy to ratepayers,” said Jeffery Grybowski, CEO Deepwater Wind.
“We are pleased that DEEP has decided to award these projects,” said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. “Fuel cells are one of the most space-efficient, resilient clean energy technologies qualified under Connecticut Class 1 Renewable Portfolio Standard. These projects will provide local tax revenue, high tech manufacturing jobs, economic development benefits, and clean energy resources consistent with the goals of Connecticut’s renewable portfolio.”
“This is a game-changer in terms of high-tech jobs, high-speed data processing and clean energy, and we applaud the DEEP and its RFP process and the evaluation team for having the vision to recognize not only the clean energy benefits of this project, but also its transformative power as an important first step to a significant economic development opportunity for both New Britain and the state,” said Mark Wick, a partner with EIP.
