Several New England states will receive $389 million in federal funding for offshore wind and energy storage, a regional effort to bolster the clean energy sector and create jobs.
The funding, announced Tuesday, is coming from the U.S. Department of Energy and will support upgrades to transmission lines in Massachusetts and Connecticut to accommodate 4,800 megawatts of additional offshore wind power, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Governor’s Office.
It will also support a multi-day battery energy storage system in Northern Maine to enhance the resilience of the region’s electric grid, the news release said. The Power Up New England project was submitted by the Rhode Island Department of Energy Resources, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the New Hampshire Department of Energy, and the Vermont Department of Public Service.
The funding was made available through the Department of Energy’s Grid Innovation Program, which supports projects that improve grid reliability and resilience through advanced technologies, partnerships, and approaches. The maximum award per project is $250 million, or $1 billion for projects with significant transmission investments, which Power Up features. Only one project received an award greater than $250 million in the first round of funding.
“This federal funding award is critical to advancing New England’s offshore wind opportunities, improving our regional energy system, and aligning with our Act on Climate clean energy development objectives,” said Governor McKee. “I am so proud of the strong collaboration by the New England State Energy Offices in securing these federal funds for our collective consumers, which will provide long-term benefits.”
“This is good news for our regional power grid’s resiliency and sustainability,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This $389 million in federal funds from the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law should help support offshore wind projects that bring good-paying jobs and environmental benefits while helping to reduce long-term energy costs for Rhode Islanders.”
“Built off of Rhode Island’s early success, New England is leading the deployment of clean offshore wind technology,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This significant federal funding will help the region further its expansion of offshore wind by making needed investments in transmission and energy storage while improving the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid.”
“Offshore wind offers a unique opportunity to increase clean, domestic energy production and lower energy costs for ratepayers,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding is a huge win for Rhode Island and will help accelerate our state’s transition to affordable, clean energy.”
“Successful deployment of energy generated by offshore wind is an essential component of Rhode Island’s blue economy,” said Rep. Gabe Amo, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. “Today’s announcement of a $389 million federal investment in the New England region by the Department of Energy will help advance our goal to deliver affordable clean energy for residents in the Ocean State. I am proud that our state and region are collaborating to provide a more resilient grid that benefits consumers while supporting an industry committed to creating good-paying union jobs.”
“The Power Up New England award from the U.S. Department of Energy marks an important milestone in Rhode Island and New England’s development of offshore wind and battery energy storage opportunities,” said Acting Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Commissioner Chris Kearns. “These federal funds will help secure long-term improvements to our region’s energy system for consumers, help accelerate the development of offshore wind, and advance our respective states’ climate goals.”
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
