Report examines challenges, opportunities for offshore wind in Delaware

A new report by researchers at the University of Delaware outlines the opportunities and challenges for Delaware with offshore wind generation.

The report was done by UD’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. The DNREC sought an analysis of market trends, economic viability, including future price points, supply chain and workforce development opportunities, and technical obstacles and options for the possible procurement of offshore wind to serve Delaware.

Among the key finding, the report stated that projected offshore wind power prices fall within the range of wholesale power being purchased for Delaware right now. It also found that offshore wind power costs less than half of Delaware’s current electricity supply when the social costs of health and climate impacts are included. Further, it revealed that health damage from polluting power plants is very real, as are health savings from adding new renewable energy. It also offered information on different approaches to offshore wind development.

“While it does not address all of the options put forward by the Governor’s Offshore Wind Working Group, this new report provides insights into current market conditions, outlines policy options for Delaware, and identifies important tradeoffs based on priorities determined by the Governor and state legislature,” DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin said. “The report, along with the findings put forward by the Offshore Wind Working Group, are essential pieces that will help ensure we make the right decisions moving forward.”

The DNREC will continue studying and evaluating all the options and the technical challenges involved in connecting offshore wind to the power grid.

“If Delaware decides to create a procurement for offshore wind, the state will develop its own approach based on its priorities,” Kris Ohleth, SIOW executive director at the University of Delaware, said. “This report describes potential policies and opportunities and quantifies their relative effects on the cost of electricity.”

Delaware has set a target of achieving 40 percent renewable energy by 2035.