Offshore

Rhode Island to seek 1,200 MW of new offshore wind capacity

Rhode Island to seek 1,200 MW of new offshore wind capacity
(Photo courtesy: Nicholas Doherty/Unsplash)

Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee announced Sept. 28 that Rhode Island Energy, the state’s utility, will be issuing a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit approximately 1,200 MW of new offshore wind to help power the state’s clean energy needs.

“Offshore wind is critical in advancing Rhode Island’s 100 percent renewable energy standard and Act on Climate objectives,” McKee said. “It’s more important than ever that we continue to push for new opportunities to expand offshore wind generation in Rhode Island while ensuring it is affordable for future generations. Rhode Island Energy recognizes the need for urgency in bringing more renewables online and I’m appreciative of their efforts to get another offshore wind RFP released.”

Governor McKee will be a keynote speaker at the GridTECH Connect Forum, set for Newport, Rhode Island October 23-25, 2023.

Rhode Island Energy is expected to issue its RFP in October, with proposals being due in early 2024 and a potential selection being made in Summer 2024. The new RFP will be released to coincide with offshore wind RFP procurement efforts in Massachusetts and Connecticut, thereby driving a unique offshore wind industry opportunity and economies of scale across southern New England. Responses to the RFP would be evaluated by Rhode Island Energy in consultation with the Office of Energy Resources and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers.

In December 2016, Rhode Island became home to North America’s first offshore wind farm with the successful installation and operation of the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm, currently the largest offshore wind farm in the United States. This five-turbine project was developed by Deepwater Wind (now Ørsted US Offshore Wind), headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. 

The offshore wind industry has been grappling with uncertainties recently, with multiple power purchase agreements (PPAs) coming to an end, and developers and utilities backing out of projects.

Rhode Island Energy recently pulled out of its PPA with Ørsted and Eversource for the Revolution Wind 2 offshore project, citing higher interest rates, increased expenses, and questionable federal tax credits, concluding that the project had become uneconomical. Avangrid requested to terminate the PPA signed with Eversource Energy, National Grid, and Uniti for the Commonwealth Wind offshore farm last year, and Shell and Ocean Winds North America have decided to attempt to terminate the PPA for the SouthCoast Wind offshore wind project.

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