NEWARK — The opportunities and challenges for the state as it explores offshore wind have been outlined in a new report by University of Delaware researchers for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

Last year, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin wrote to ask UD’s Special Initiative on Offshore Wind to conduct analysis of market trends, economic viability, supply chain and workforce-development opportunities, and technical options for the possible procurement of offshore wind to serve Delaware.

The chairs and vice chairs of the General Assembly’s Senate Environment & Energy Committee and the House of Representatives’ Energy Committee also encouraged SIOW to conduct the study.

Among the findings:

• Projected offshore wind power prices fall within the range of wholesale power being purchased for Delaware currently.
• Such wind power costs less than half of the state’s current electricity supply when the costs of health and climate impacts are included.
• Health damage from polluting power plants is very real, as are health savings from adding renewable energy.

Previously, a 2018 report by the state’s Offshore Wind Working Group highlighted several options for consideration, including the state waiting for more developers to enter the market, an incremental approach to wind power and evaluating other renewable sources.

In requesting SIOW’s help, DNREC was interested in updating those opportunities and identifying challenges of offshore wind to inform decisions by state leaders.

“While it does not address all of the options put forward by the governor’s Offshore Wind Working Group, this (SIOW) report provides insights into current market conditions, outlines policy options for Delaware and identifies important trade-offs based on priorities determined by the governor and state legislature,” Mr. 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 First State has set a target of achieving 40% renewable energy by 2035. In addition, shifting to such energy is among the strategies identified in Delaware’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

DNREC will continue to evaluate connecting offshore wind to the power grid.

The SIOW report, as well as previous work from the Offshore Wind Working Group, can be found here.