Rhode Island 400MW Renewables Call Impending

The U.S. state of Rhode Island will issue a competitive request for proposals (RFP) this week to procure up to 400MW of renewable energy resources.

The RFP, developed by the National Grid in coordination with Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and Division of Public Utilities & Carriers (DPUC), will be open for offshore and onshore wind as well as solar projects with a capacity of more than 20MW.

According to the National Grid, the RFP is expected to be issued today, 12 September.

Interested companies will have until 29 October to submit their bids. The Public Utilities Commission will then review and approve selected projects before any contracts are executed.

Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo directed OER in February to work with the state’s utilities to issue the request as part of a goal to make the state’s energy system ten times cleaners by bringing 1,000MW of renewable energy into its energy portfolio.

“I have set an ambitious goal of making Rhode Island’s energy system ten times cleaner in an affordable and reliable manner, and we’re well on our way,” said Raimondo.

“Our commitment to combating climate change is as strong as ever. Along with the recently announced 400 MW Deepwater Wind offshore wind project, this administration is working hard to secure new and diverse supplies of cost-effective clean energy for Rhode Island homes and businesses, reduce our carbon footprint, and spur other benefits for our economy.”

The National Grid will lead the procurement, with RFP also allowing for potential joint purchases by the Pascoag Utility District and the Block Island Power Company, subject to approval by the respective parties.

Deepwater Wind was selected this May through a competitive procurement process to construct a new 400MW wind farm offshore Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island-based clean energy developer is the owner and developer of the 30MW Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in U.S. waters.