Offshore wind showed up big during the East Coast’s brutal cold

Grist

by Maria Gallucci

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Offshore wind farms along the U.S. East Coast demonstrated remarkable reliability during January’s extreme cold snap, performing as well as gas-fired power plants and outperforming coal facilities, including during Winter Storm Fern. This achievement highlights their potential as a critical clean energy source for meeting winter electricity demand in densely populated coastal regions. Despite this success, the Trump administration has continued to oppose offshore wind development, pushing for increased fossil fuel production while blocking key projects through legal challenges. The two operational utility-scale offshore wind farms, South Fork Wind and Vineyard Wind, showed strong performance metrics last month. South Fork Wind, located off Long Island, achieved a 52% capacity factor in January—a measure of its actual electricity generation compared to its maximum potential—matching the efficiency of New York’s most efficient gas plants. Meanwhile, Vineyard Wind, near Massachusetts, reached a staggering 75% capacity factor during the storm, underscoring its reliability during peak demand periods. Experts emphasize that offshore wind is particularly valuable in cold-weather conditions when fossil fuel supply can fall short of demand. Grid operators have been counting on this renewable energy source to meet growing electricity needs for data centers, electrified vehicles, and homes. Offshore wind’s ability to generate consistent power during extreme weather demonstrates its importance for grid stability and reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuels. The performance data also challenges the Trump administration’s stance against offshore wind development. Federal officials have called for more fossil fuel power to prevent winter blackouts while simultaneously blocking projects like South Fork Wind and

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Originally published on Grist on 2/14/2026