EnBW North America Joins Clean Energy NH, Signaling Emergence of the NH Offshore Wind Market

CONCORD – March 13, 2019 – Signaling that New Hampshire could soon join the growing number of states pursuing offshore wind energy development, Clean Energy New Hampshire (CENH) today welcomed its first offshore wind industry member, EnBW North America.

EnBW North America, a subsidiary of German-based EnBW AG – one of the leading offshore wind developers in Europe – is pursuing offshore wind energy opportunities along both US coasts. It is the first offshore wind company in CENH’s portfolio of nearly 130 clean energy, clean tech, and energy efficiency members across 16 different industry sectors.

“Clean Energy NH is thrilled to welcome EnBW to our membership,” said Michael Behrmann, CENH’s Director of Business Development and leader of the organization’s recent international offshore wind supply chain delegation. “The company’s experience in this exciting, rapidly growing industry is an asset for New Hampshire, and we look forward to fully supporting both the company’s entrance into the New England market and the Granite State’s exploration of the tremendous benefits that a thriving offshore wind industry can provide.”

"EnBW North America is excited to partner with Clean Energy New Hampshire – the Granite State’s premier private sector clean energy network – to explore the role offshore wind power can play in generating affordable clean energy in New Hampshire,” EnBW North America Managing Director Bill White said. “We are encouraged by the keen interest Governor Sununu and the New Hampshire Legislature have shown in examining the potential for developing wind power off of the New Hampshire coast, and we’re eager to bring to this conversation our expertise as an experienced offshore wind developer.”

At CENH’s Energy Breakfast on March 28, the largest event of NH Energy Week, White will speak about his previous work in advancing the Massachusetts offshore wind market, EnBW’s experience building offshore wind projects in Europe, and the jobs and economic benefits the industry could bring to New Hampshire.

In January, Governor Chris Sununu requested that the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) establish an intergovernmental offshore renewable energy task force, the first step in a potential multi-year process to develop wind energy in federal waters off the New Hampshire coast.

To date, US offshore wind development has focused on southern New England states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, as well as New York and New Jersey, which recently announced offshore wind deployment targets of 9,000 and 3,500 megawatts (MW), respectively.

New Hampshire’s recent interest in offshore wind power comes on the heels of a record-breaking federal auction last December for three lease areas off the Massachusetts coast, as well as an announcement from Massachusetts’ first offshore wind project that the price of its power will compete with conventional (fossil fuel) sources.

About Clean Energy New Hampshire – Clean Energy NH is the state’s leading clean energy advocate, promoting policies and programs that strengthen our economy, protect public health, and conserve natural resources. CENH provides services and resources to support the Granite State’s clean energy and clean tech industries, policymakers, and communities. In addition, CENH serves as the voice of over 500 business, municipal, and individual members and educates audiences on all matters pertaining to generating, storing, and efficiently using clean energy and focuses on accelerating technology and opportunities that provide a more prosperous, eco-friendly future.

About EnBW North America - EnBW North America is a subsidiary of EnBW AG, a German utility and leading European offshore wind developer with a portfolio of nearly 1,000 MW of offshore wind projects under operation or construction in Europe and more than 3,000 MW under development globally. EnBW AG, which built Germany’s first commercial scale offshore wind project in 2011, is currently developing a 900 MW offshore wind project in the North Sea that will not require any subsidies. EnBW North America is establishing offices in Boston and Jersey City to pursue offshore wind opportunities in the Northeast. On the West Coast, EnBW North America is the majority owner of Castle Wind, the nation’s first proposed floating offshore wind project off Morro Bay, California.