Rhode Island for Offshore Wind
Offshore wind presents an incredible opportunity for economic and environmental benefits in Rhode Island. The state’s offshore wind industry is expected to support thousands of jobs, and leaders are optimistic that Rhode Island will be a national hub for offshore wind technology. Former Gov. Gina Raimondo pledged to attract $100 million in new research and development investment to Rhode Island
Current Status
Procurements to date:
- 430 MW
Projects:
- Revolution Wind (400 MW)
- Contracted: 2018
- Status: in process
- Estimate Approval Date (EAD): 2023
- Commercial Operation Date (COD): 2025
- Block Island Wind Farm (30 MW)
- Status: operational
- COD: 2016
The New England for Offshore Wind coalition’s tour of the Block Island Wind Farm passing one of the project’s turbines in 2022.
Current Targets
Rhode Island is home to the country’s first offshore wind farm, which began operating off Block Island in 2016.
In a State of the State address on January 14, 2020 former Gov. Gina Raimondo announced that she would sign an executive order increasing the state’s renewable energy resources, stating that in a few years “we’ll have enough offshore wind energy to power half of the homes in Rhode Island.” The executive order called on the state to meet 100% of its electricity needs through clean energy resources by 2030.
In April 2021, Gov. Dan McKee signed the Act On Climate, which sets targets of 45% emissions reductions and net zero emissions by 2050.
In June 2022, the RI General Court passed S 2583A, which increased state procurements by an additional 600 MW to 1,000 MW of offshore wind capacity and decreases remunerations to 1% of the contract amount, a payment which will be at the discretion of state utility regulators. The bill also holds strong responsible development, labor standards, and equity and inclusion language. In October 2022, Gov. McKee announced that Rhode Island Energy released a request for proposals for up to 1 GW of new offshore wind capacity. Bidders submitted their proposals to RIE on March 13, 2023.
Sign Your Organization on as an Endorser
Click the link below to sign on as an endorser.