Dive Brief:

• Eversource Energy and Danish wind giant Orsted have proposed building a 200 MW offshore wind project off the coast of Connecticut, dubbed Constitution Wind. The companies proposed Constitution Wind through their Bay State Wind joint venture, which also has a project competing in Massachusetts' solicitation for 400 MW of offshore wind. 
• Deepwater Wind also proposed to supply the state with 200 MW of offshore wind from a 400 MW project dubbed Revolution Wind, which is being built in a site between Montauk and Martha's Vineyard. 
• The projects were proposed in response to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's request for proposals issued in January for 899,250 MWh of renewable energy projects annually. At least 27 projects have been submitted, with a deadline for a decision set for June. 

Dive Insight:

Offshore wind is taking off in the Northeast as these proposals underscore the growing trend of states looking to cultivate the resource to meet clean energy targets. Connecticut is the latest state issuing request for proposals to meet these goals, hoping to utilize a diverse set of renewable energy resources. 

Constitution Wind would come online early in the next decade, according to the New Haven Register. But it is competing against other projects in response to the state's request for proposals, which could include fuel cells and solar as resources, in addition to another 200 MW of offshore wind from a bigger farm. The RFP is just one tool, however, as the state strategizes how it will invest in more clean energy.

In February, DEEP finalized the state's 2018 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES), and recommended doubling the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 40% by 2030.  The proposal also includes a focus on grid modernization efforts and reliability, and developing new markets and funding sources for energy efficiency.