Key trends in this Market Brief include: New England renewable energy credit (REC) shortfalls will begin to mount in 2012 as states struggle to fulfill their renewable portfolio standards (RPS) policies. Advancements in low-wind-speed turbine technology are unlocking growth opportunities, but long-distance transmission constraints and local opposition remain major barriers in the New England market. As state RPS markets tap out elsewhere in the US, New England is attracting more attention from regional players, utilities, and national independent power producers (IPPs) competing for a limited number of PPA opportunities and sites with access to existing transmission capacity. Recent legal victories, federal government action, and supply chain investments are building momentum behind offshore wind, but major hurdles remain.
Key trends in this Market Brief include: