Rhode Island to develop new 50-megawatt solar project
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources announced on Feb. 5 it filed a plan with state regulators to develop 50 megawatts of solar energy.
All three Rhode Island electric utilities – National Grid, Pascoag Utility District, and Block Island Utility District – have agreed to share the project’s output. The contract is subject to approval by the state’s Public Utilities Commission.
The project will be sited at a gravel mine near Hartford, Conn. It will provide energy at a fixed price of 5.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (5.3¢/kWh) for 20 years and is expected to save local consumers about $30 million over that time.
The developer, D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments, has agreed to provide $300,000 to support clean energy workforce development initiatives in Rhode Island.
“Consistent with Gov. (Gina) Raimondo’s nation-leading goal to meet 100 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity demand with renewables by 2030, this latest addition to the state’s clean energy portfolio will provide cost-effective, carbon-free energy that will save consumers money and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Acting State Energy Commissioner Nicholas Ucci said. “I want to thank our state electric utilities – National Grid, Pascoag Utility District, and Block Island Utility District – for partnering to bring more clean, affordable energy to our state, and I look forward to working with them as we develop the analyses and strategies required to further accelerate clean energy adoption throughout the decade.”
In January, Gov. Raimondo signed an executive order committing Rhode Island to be powered by 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
