Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA. – This week, New England’s regional grid operator, ISO-NE, filed the results of its eighteenth forward capacity auction with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) The filing outlines commitments by the region’s various energy providers — clean energy sources and fossil fuel plants — to supply power for the June 2027 through May 2028 period.
Over 900 energy sources cleared the auction, securing millions of dollars in ISO-NE capacity payments for their energy contribution to the grid. Notably, zero coal-fired units cleared the auction, signaling a definitive move beyond coal in the region. Conversely, Vineyard Wind 1 — the region’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm – did secure capacity payments alongside Revolution Wind and other clean energy projects. Solar, wind, energy storage, or other demand-reducing sources made up the majority of new first-time resources to pass the auction.
For decades, Sierra Club members, volunteers, and staff have advocated for a clean energy transition across New England. State chapters have fiercely championed local coal plant retirements, fought gas expansion efforts, and helped secure the rapid build-out of renewable energy sources — like solar and wind — to the scale needed to reduce emissions and adequately address the climate crisis.
Vineyard Wind sent power to the grid for the first time in January, following years of advocacy by Sierra Club and allies. Once fully constructed, the 62 wind turbines south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket will power over 400,000 Massachusetts homes and reduce carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year. For its part, Revolution Wind, off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut, will produce 700 MWs of power set to be split between the two states.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island are also currently accepting bids for more offshore wind farm developments across the three states through a first-of-its-kind tri-state procurement process.
ISO-NE has requested the auction results be finalized and take effect on June 20.
In response to the ISO-NE filing, Andrea Callan, Sierra Club’s Northeast Deputy Regional Field Director, released the following statement:
“The results of this week’s ISO-NE forward capacity auction point to a clean energy future for all of New England. The 2027-2028 commitments and awarded bids prove that coal is not needed to reliably keep the lights on across New England. Clean energy projects, like Vineyard Wind 1, are adding tremendous might to our grid, bolstering local economies, healthier communities, and greater energy reliability. Our Sierra Club community will continue to advocate for a just transition off polluting fossil fuels and the proliferation of renewable energy sources, including offshore wind, region-wide."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.