Rhode Island Energy to evaluate four offshore wind proposals
Rhode Island Energy will evaluate four offshore wind (OSW) proposals in response to a request for proposals (RFP) it issued for approximately 1,200 MW of clean energy.
Proposals were received from: Avangrid Renewables, Orsted, SouthCoast Wind Energy, and Vineyard Offshore. This is the largest procurement of its kind in Rhode Island history.
“Our company is committed to helping Rhode Island meet its nation-leading clean energy goals and will carefully review these proposals,” Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy, said. “Our objective is to advance the clean energy transition while keeping energy affordable and reliable for our customers. This is the lens through which we will evaluate these proposals.”
Rhode Island Energy issued the RFP last October as part of a coordinated solicitation with state agencies and utilities in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Along with the offshore wind farm off Block Island and the Revolution Wind project now under development, this additional procurement could help meet more than 80 percent of the state’s estimated 2030 electricity demand.
“We look forward to the next phase of the process in alignment with Massachusetts and Connecticut. As we move forward, our evaluation will consider how each proposal meets the requirements of both the RFP and Rhode Island state law while balancing costs for our customers,” Cornett said.
Evaluation of the proposals is expected to take approximately three months, at which time Rhode Island Energy will determine whether to move forward with contract negotiations.
“This is an exciting day to be receiving project proposals from multiple offshore wind companies – including multi-state project proposals with Massachusetts and Connecticut, and individual project proposals specific to Rhode Island,” Acting State Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns said. “We look forward to reviewing the proposals with Rhode Island Energy along with Massachusetts and Connecticut State Energy Offices over the next few months with the potential of advancing new offshore wind projects that balance climate change, environmental, ratepayer and economic development interests.”
