New UCS Report: Offshore Wind Would Dramatically Reduce Winter Blackout Risk in New England

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (February 4, 2026)-To stay warm during New England's harsh winter weather, people rely on more electricity to heat their homes and businesses. This sharp increase in electricity demand can strain the grid and potentially outstrip energy supplies, leading to life-threatening power outages. A new study released today by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzes how New England's cold spells are consistently accompanied by strong offshore winds, creating a valuable, readily available local power source when people need it most.

The report, "New England's Offshore Wind Solution," compares regional wind speed data to electricity demand during the winter of 2024 to 2025 and looks at the risk of an energy shortfall, a key measurement of grid reliability. Results reveal that the energy from just two offshore wind projects, such as the nearly complete Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind, would have reduced the risk of demand-driven power outages by 55%. Adding generation from two other proposed projects, New England Wind 1 and SouthCoast Wind, would have reduced that risk by 75%. In either scenario, when combined with other local clean energy sources like onshore wind and solar, the energy from these projects would have surpassed the energy delivered by costly and polluting liquified natural gas imports.

All four of these projects have faced intense interference from the Trump administration, but in recent months multiple courts found the administration's actions to have been illegal.

"Offshore wind is a winter powerhouse waiting to be unlocked," said Susan Muller, report lead author and senior energy analyst at UCS, based in Seacoast, New Hampshire. "New Englanders have a world class clean energy resource right at our doorstep, but the Trump administration keeps trying to slam the door closed and block an affordable, reliable power supply for 15 million people. This frenzied federal attack is driving up our electricity bills and putting us all at risk of experiencing a blackout in freezing temperatures. It also prevents us from becoming more energy independent as electricity demand grows, deepening our reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports that pollute our neighborhoods and contribute to worsening climate change."

This report comes amid record-breaking low temperatures across the region and country. Without clean energy alternatives, New England's grid operator was forced to turn to its most polluting energy resources and temporarily lift powerplant smokestack emissions standards to ensure a steady supply of electricity. "It's like an oil spill in the sky," said Muller. "Had a large offshore wind fleet been in operation, our communities would be breathing easier while staying warm instead of relying on dirty and expensive fossil fuels."

Nearly 60% of all days between December 1, 2024, and February 28, 2025, had an elevated risk of blackouts due to high electricity demand. These are days when gas prices spiked, resulting in extreme increases in energy market costs. Muller contributed to another recent analysis highlighting the possibility of over $400 million in consumer savings if the larger fleet of offshore wind projects had been operating during this period. Such low-cost wind energy would have reduced the average market price of electricity by 11% that winter season.

As the Trump administration continues to try and undermine states' access to valuable offshore wind resources with help from the fossil fuel industry, the region is at risk of losing out on a multi-billion-dollar industry that can create tens of thousands of local jobs, support cleaner air, save people money and safeguard the climate. Though New England's grid is uniquely bolstered by offshore wind in the winter, this robust array of benefits would be accessible year-round. The report recommends state leaders persist in their efforts to develop offshore wind despite federal animosity to secure these superior assets for their communities. It also recommends continued investment in solar power, onshore wind and battery storage to further advance affordable energy solutions while strengthening grid reliability.

"New Englanders deserve access to the economic, health and climate benefits of harnessing our local and abundant clean energy resources," said Muller. "We also need affordable power that we can count on to keep us safe during frigid winters. A cheaper, cleaner, more reliable future is possible with offshore wind. President Trump's hostility cannot distort these facts and should not inhibit the development of this vital resource."

You can find the full report here and related blog posts here.