July saw dangerously hot and humid temperatures over much of the eastern United States. Two offshore wind projects near New England delivered hundreds of megawatts of electric power to the grid as residents cranked up their air conditioners. Thanks to the recently added wind power, utilities did not need to rely as much on dirty, expensive oil-burning peaker plants – the kind that only operate when electricity demand is very high.
Analysts compared how the regional electrical grid performed during the July heatwave with its performance during a bout of hot weather in June 2025, before much of the offshore wind came online. During the hottest day in July, oil peaker plants provided nearly 10% of the region’s total power supply. During the hottest day in June 2025, oil provided nearly 15% of the power. The recent performance represents a drop of more than a gigawatt in oil-fueled generation.
Other factors playing a role in the grid’s handling of heatwaves are the New England Clean Energy Connect power line, which carries hydropower from Canada to Maine, and an increasing abundance of rooftop solar installations in the region.
Offshore wind does not only have benefits for heatwaves. It is known for its ability to bolster grid reliability during winter. In colder months, New England’s power system is becoming increasingly constrained because of the shift to electric space and water heating systems replacing gas or oil heating. Ocean winds in the region are actually at their strongest and steadiest during the winter months. Once again, offshore wind can reduce the use of gas-fueled power plants.
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Here’s how offshore wind helped New England beat record heat
