The march towards a renewable energy future in Rhode Island is continuing.
Governor Dan McKee has signed a law requiring a market-competitive procurement for six-hundred-to-one-thousand megawatts of offshore wind electricity.
The utility company Rhode Island Energy, formerly National Grid, must issue the procurement by October 15th.
“Offshore wind is one of our state’s most abundant natural resources,” said Governor McKee. “Adding offshore wind clean energy capacity is essential for meeting our new 100 percent renewable energy by 2033 goal and our Act on Climate emissions reductions target. It will not only be beneficial for the environment, but also create hundreds of jobs as we position Rhode Island as an economic hub of this growing offshore wind industry on the Atlantic Coast.”
“Already home to the first offshore wind farm in the country, this procurement establishes Rhode Island as a leader in the blue and green economies,” said Lt. Governor Sabina Matos. “This procurement has the potential to power 340,000 homes each year and will create hundreds of well-paying jobs. Our goal to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2033 is the most ambitious in the country but projects like this will ensure we get there.”
According to Governor McKee's office, the request for proposals could satisfy at least 30-percent of the Ocean State's estimated power demand one decade from now.
(Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)