Press Releases 09/09/2025 DEEP: Stoppage of Revolution Wind Project Will Increase Costs for CT and New England Ratepayers, Make Grid Less Reliable DEEP Preliminary Analysis Estimates Loss of Revolution Wind Could Cost Ratepayers in New England Roughly $500 Million Annually (HARTFORD) - The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) provided today preliminary analysis of the negative impacts the Trump Administration's stop work order on the Revolution Wind project will have on near-term energy costs for Connecticut ratepayers, and ratepayers throughout the New England region, as well as the reliability of our regional electric grid. On August 22, 2025, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop work order halting all offshore construction on the Revolution Wind project, which is 80% complete. Energy Affordability Impacts DEEP estimates that if the Revolution Wind project is canceled, the near-term cost to New England electric ratepayers would be roughly half a billion dollars per year, in the form of higher regional energy market costs, due to the loss of this affordable and reliable offshore wind power. Connecticut ratepayers would shoulder 25% of these higher regional costs. DEEP has prepared a preliminary analysis of energy market impacts that estimates that the Revolution Wind project will lower near-term wholesale energy and capacity market costs for Connecticut and all New England ratepayers, by providing fuel diversity and low-marginal cost energy to our region. By 2028, these wholesale market savings are estimated to reach roughly $500 million dollars a year. While the electricity market impacts are expected to affect energy costs New England-wide, Connecticut ratepayers will experience further impacts associated with the 304 MW ratepayer-backed contract with Revolution Wind. Connecticut's Revolution Wind contract, which has a blended price of $99/MWh for energy and renewable attributes, is further projected to save Connecticut ratepayers an additional $150-200 million in public benefits charges over the life of the 20-year project, savings that would be lost were the project to be canceled. Further details of this analysis are provided here. Other Impacts of the Stop Work Order Reliability: In terms of electric grid reliability, ISO New England, our regional electric grid operator, is counting on the Revolution Wind project to deliver power next year. In a recent statement, the ISO confirmed that it "is expecting this project to come online and it is included in our analyses of near-term and future grid reliability. Delaying the project will increase risks to reliability." Reliability in Winter: Offshore wind is a "winter powerhouse" resource: it produces its strongest output in winter, exactly when New England demand peaks and available natural gas supplies (the primary fuel for electricity generation in the region) are at their lowest. ISO-NE CEO Gordon van Welie testified in March 2025 that offshore wind provides "substantial reliability benefits," "offsetting the effects of constraints on the gas pipeline system" in the winter. During critical peak periods, such as winter cold snaps, offshore wind helps to extend the performance of gas and stored oil in the region when those resources are stressed, strengthening overall grid resilience. "We estimate that preventing this project from coming online will result in higher electric bills for residents and businesses in Connecticut and the region," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. "While these are estimates, the magnitude of these potential impacts is concerning, at a time when we want to see energy bills going down, not up. This action will also make our electric grid less reliable, leaving us more susceptible to blackouts and interruptions, particularly during heat waves and cold snaps, which are becoming more common in New England." Jobs and Economic Development: Revolution Wind supports about 1,200 jobs in Connecticut and Rhode Island. At the State Pier in New London alone, more than 100 union jobs and nearly 200 overall jobs are tied directly to staging and assembly for offshore wind. Connecticut invested $200 million to redevelop State Pier into a world-class heavy-lift maritime facility. Developers contributed another $100 million. In addition to Revolution Wind, the State Pier is supporting deployment of two other offshore wind projects (South Fork and Sunrise), enabling 1,760 megawatts (MW) to power more than 1 million homes. Supply chain: At least 50 Connecticut companies are involved in offshore wind and related port development projects. Beyond Connecticut and Rhode Island, Revolution Wind is supporting hundreds of additional jobs in states across the country through its supplier contracts. About Revolution Wind: Revolution Wind is a 704 MW offshore wind project under construction approximately 15 nautical miles southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island. The project began construction in 2023 and is expected to reach commercial operation in 2026. It will deliver enough electricity to the New England grid to power 350,000 homes, the equivalent of 2.5% of the region's electricity supply. Revolution Wind is 80% complete and essential for Connecticut and New England's reliability, affordability, and energy security. DEEP Staff are available for interviews to discuss these projected affordability and reliability impacts. Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook Contact DEEP Communications [email protected] 860-424-3110 Twitter Facebook Email Print