Rhode Island Energy, the state’s primary utility company, has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for offshore wind, targeting an additional 600 MW to 1,000 MW of capacity.
Offshore wind project proposals by bidders will be due to Rhode Island Energy on 1 February 2023.
In July, Governor McKee signed into law clean energy legislation that seeks to expand Rhode Island’s offshore wind energy resource. The new law requires a market-competitive procurement for between 600 and 1,000 MW of newly developed offshore wind capacity.
This offshore wind procurement follows the release of the draft RFP in September.
The project could meet at least 30 per cent of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand and power about 340,000 homes each year.
When added to the 30 MW Block Island offshore wind farm and the planned 400 MW Revolution Wind project, about half of the state’s projected energy needs will be powered by offshore wind, according to McKee’s office.
“This is a major milestone in the progress toward achieving the nation leading 100 percent Renewable Energy Standard by 2033, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the Act on Climate”, said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee.
Recently the Governor together with East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva broke ground on the first phase of the South Quay Marine Termina project which will become a staging area for offshore wind projects in the US Northeast.
“When combined with the enhancements of ProvPort, these infrastructure investments greatly expand our offshore wind staging capabilities, bringing jobs and economic opportunity to Rhode Island”, said Governor McKee.
The South Quay Marine Terminal is located within 75 nautical miles of the Massachusetts and New York Wind Lease Areas, which will rely on sites like this for manufacturing, storage, and construction, according to the Rhode Island Government.