Connecticut Launches Comprehensive Plan to Meet Growing Electricity Needs

February 26, 2025

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has announced the launch of the state’s next Integrated Resources Plan (IRP). This plan aims to assess Connecticut’s growing electricity needs and identify pathways to meet these needs affordably and reliably for residents and businesses. The IRP is a crucial step in ensuring that the state can maintain a stable and cost-effective power supply, particularly during peak demand periods such as winter.

Meeting Connecticut’s electricity needs reliably, particularly during the winter when the regional power system is currently energy constrained, and doing so affordably are key concerns. The IRP will focus on identifying solutions to these challenges, such as opportunities to lower electric demand and customer bills through investments in energy efficiency as well as opportunities to grow the state’s access to affordable and reliable energy, and contribute to Connecticut’s environmental goals, through investments in new power generation and transmission lines. The IRP will focus on all-of-the-above options to increase Connecticut’s electricity supply affordably, maintain reliability, and ensure regional coordination and equitable sharing of costs across New England.

In conjunction with the IRP process, DEEP will release several white papers on topics relevant to the IRP to provide further context to stakeholders and an opportunity for more detailed input on the paper topics. Concurrent with this announcement, DEEP has released a white paper assessing the current state of electricity transmission in Connecticut and New England and new infrastructure and policy needs. As New England’s existing transmission infrastructure ages, requiring increased maintenance and replacement, the cost of transmission to ratepayers has increased 72% since 2015 and now makes up 10-11% of the typical Connecticut residential customer’s monthly electricity bill. At the same time, new investments are needed to modernize the region’s transmission system, meet growing demand reliably, and access new sources of affordable power generation. DEEP’s white paper considers these challenges and identifies several strategies to help address costs while ensuring that new transmission investments benefit ratepayers, including by providing improved regulatory oversight at the federal and state levels, encouraging the adoption of advanced transmission technologies, and addressing supply chain, permitting, and siting barriers. In the coming months, DEEP will issue additional white papers on further key IRP topics related to meeting the state’s future energy needs and policy goals.

The IRP process will help us strategically meet our growing energy needs in a way that is affordable for residents, maintains reliability, and helps us meet our statutory goal of a zero carbon electric supply by 2040. During this process, we will be sharing out white papers to provide context for stakeholders as we seek public input on key issues and considerations in our planning. DEEP’s first white paper on electricity transmission focuses on a key affordability and reliability issue: how we can best maintain and grow our state’s and the New England region’s critical transmission infrastructure to meet rapidly growing electric demand while ensuring maximum protections and benefits to ratepayers.

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes

DEEP is also seeking public input on the transmission white paper and several questions included in a public notice announcing the IRP related to the scope of the IRP analysis, including technical power sector modeling, to be conducted over the coming months. Initial comments are due to DEEP by March 31, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. After receiving these comments, DEEP will convene a public kickoff meeting to further discuss the IRP scope with stakeholders and intends to host additional stakeholder meetings and provide additional opportunities for public input on the IRP in the coming months.

DEEP’s development of the IRP is pursuant to Section 16a-3a(a) of the General Statutes of Connecticut, which directs DEEP to periodically review the state’s energy and capacity resource assessment and approve the Integrated Resources Plan for the procurement of energy resources, including, but not limited to, conventional and renewable generating facilities, energy efficiency, load management, demand response, combined heat and power facilities, distributed generation, and other emerging energy technologies to meet the projected requirements of customers in a manner that minimizes the cost of all energy resources to customers over time and maximizes consumer benefits consistent with the state’s environmental goals and standards, including, but not limited to, the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals established in section 22a-200a. The Integrated Resources Plan shall seek to lower the cost of electricity while meeting such environmental goals and standards in the most cost-effective manner.

For more information on the IRP Notice of Proceeding and the transmission white paper, please visit the respective links provided in the official announcements.

Additional Insights and Practical Applications

The IRP is not just about meeting immediate energy needs but also about planning for future sustainability. Connecticut’s goal is to achieve a zero-carbon electric supply by 2040, aligning with broader national and global trends towards renewable energy. This plan will likely involve significant investments in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources, as well as advancements in energy storage technologies. For instance, California’s ambitious renewable energy targets have spurred innovation in battery storage, which could serve as a model for Connecticut.

One of the key challenges highlighted in the white paper is the aging transmission infrastructure. This is a national issue, as many states grapple with outdated grids that were not designed to handle the increasing demand for electricity and the integration of renewable energy sources. The white paper’s recommendations for improved regulatory oversight and the adoption of advanced transmission technologies are critical steps towards addressing this challenge. For example, the use of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines, which can transmit electricity over long distances with minimal loss, could be a game-changer for Connecticut and the broader New England region.

Public input is a cornerstone of this planning process. By engaging with stakeholders, DEEP aims to ensure that the IRP reflects the diverse needs and concerns of Connecticut residents and businesses. This inclusive approach is essential for building a sustainable and resilient energy future. For example, community solar projects, where multiple households share the benefits of a single solar installation, have been successful in other states and could be a viable option for Connecticut.

In conclusion, the launch of the IRP by DEEP is a significant step towards ensuring that Connecticut meets its growing energy needs in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. The plan’s focus on all-of-the-above options, coupled with the release of detailed white papers and public engagement, sets a strong foundation for the state’s energy future.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact DEEP Communications at DEEP.communications@ct.gov or call 860-424-3110.