The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has released a final request for proposals to provide zero carbon and alternative electric power to further diversify the state’s energy sources while helping save ratepayers money.
Proposals may include nuclear, hydropower, solar, onshore wind and associated transmission, or paired and co-located energy storage systems, according to DEEP officials.
“Increasing our energy supply is key to improving affordability and enabling economic growth in Connecticut,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “Competitive procurements, in partnership with other states in the region, help ensure we get the best deal for ratepayers and that the costs of our region’s grid are fairly shared.”
In 2018, DEEP issued an RFP for zero carbon resources that resulted in contracts with the existing Millstone Nuclear Power Plant and Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, wholesale energy prices were at historic lows and nuclear generating facilities were shutting down across the nation.
Connecticut’s contracts with the Millstone and Seabrook facilities have saved Connecticut ratepayers an estimated $153 million, according to DEEP officials. Revenues earned on the contracts in 2025 are expected to help lower the controversial public benefits charge in 2026, according to DEEP.
“This request for proposals builds on our success in recent years working with regional partners to advance our shared interests in an affordable, reliable power grid,”said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “This procurement will leverage opportunities to access new affordable clean energy resources, including resources enabled by regional investments in transmission, while providing opportunities for—and competition from—existing resources to help ensure Connecticut has the affordable, reliable power supply we need.”
Since the 2018 RFP, energy market prices have increased and nuclear generating facilities are now expected to remain profitable going forward in the market, DEEP officials said. The state is releasing this RFP to identify potential contracts with new or existing clean energy resources that can operate as a financial hedge against rising power generation costs in the future.
Through this RFP, DEEP officials say they will be seeking proposals that can provide more affordable and stable electric rates for Connecticut ratepayers.
DEEP officials said they will hold a virtual bidders conference on this RFP on Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. A registration link is available here. DEEP will accept bids in response to this RFP through Feb. 27, at 11:59 p.m. for projects also bidding into the Maine RFP, and through March 17, 2026, at 12 p.m. for all other bids.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com
