Rhode Island eyeing new 600 MW offshore wind project

A bill introduced in the Rhode Island state legislature would develop 600 megawatts of offshore wind capacity.

If enacted, Rhode Island’s primary utility company would be required to issue the procurement no later than Aug. 15, 2022.

“As home to the nation’s first offshore wind farm, Rhode Island is a pioneer in the blue economy,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said. “Offshore wind represents one of the best opportunities for Rhode Island to scale up its clean energy resources in order to meet our greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Expanding our offshore wind resources will further our state’s position as the North American hub for industry activity, attracting new investment and job growth opportunities across the green economy.”

McKee proposed the legislation, which was sponsored by State Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) in the Senate (S-2583) and State Rep. Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston) in the House (H-7971).

Rhode Island is home to North America’s first operational offshore wind farm on Block Island. In 2019 it received state approval for the 400 MW Revolution Wind offshore project. An additional 600 MW of offshore wind would further expand the state’s clean energy portfolio, potentially meeting 30 percent of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand. Including the 30 MW Block Island Wind farm and the planned 400 MW Revolution Wind project, offshore wind would cover 50 percent of the state’s projected energy needs.

“What differentiates the Act on Climate from all of our state’s previous renewable energy laws is that it is an enforceable, firm commitment that Rhode Island will rapidly adopt renewable energy and get serious about our climate obligations. Projects like the one we’re seeking with this legislation are an important part of our energy future. I’m glad to see the level of support there is for a major RFP like this one because it will be a big step toward responsibly developed renewable energy in Rhode Island,” Euer said.

The bill would also require offshore wind developers to provide information on potential environmental impacts; estimates of local economic benefits; a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan; and a plan outlining the bidder’s intentions regarding project labor agreement(s).

“As the Ocean State, we are experiencing the negative effects of rising seas, and we need to do our share to move away from carbon reliance. And producing our own green energy is vastly more beneficial to our own economy than relying on fossil fuels that are often sourced from other areas of the world, which can also be subject to volatility, as we are seeing in Europe right now. We can make great strides toward carbon neutrality with this sort of investment, and I’m excited to see it move forward,” Handy said.