Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) announced Tuesday a new competitive solicitation to procure up to 600 MW of offshore wind energy.

Raimondo in January signed an executive order committing Rhode Island to meet 100% of its electricity demand with renewables by 2030. The order directed the state Office of Energy Resources to conduct economic and energy market analysis and develop policies and programs such as the OSW RFP.

Raimondo also recently joined with the governors of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont to issue a joint statement calling for reforms to ISO-NE, saying the RTO is frustrating their efforts to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions. (See New England Governors Call for RTO Reform.)

“In the face of global climate change, Rhode Island must drive toward a cleaner, more affordable and reliable clean energy future,” Raimondo said in a statement. “It is critical that we accelerate our adoption of carbon-free resources to power our homes and businesses while creating clean energy jobs. In January I set a nation-leading goal for Rhode Island to meet 100% of its electricity demand with renewables by 2030. Offshore wind will help us achieve that bold but achievable goal while creating jobs and cementing our status as a major hub in the nation’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.”

Rhode Island is home to North America’s first operational OSW farm off Block Island, and the 400-MW Revolution Wind offshore project received state approval in 2019.

The RFP will be developed by National Grid with oversight by the state Office of Energy Resources and is ultimately subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission.

“Our state, communities and local economies are facing unprecedented challenges as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic, but now more than ever, it’s imperative that we lean into our shared commitments to enable and progress the clean energy transition,” said Terry Sobolewski, president of National Grid Rhode Island. “Expanding large-scale renewables across Rhode Island is crucial to delivering clean, reliable, affordable energy for our customers and future generations.”

A draft RFP will be filed with state regulators this fall. If approved, a final RFP will be issued early next year. Any contracts for OSW projects resulting from the competitive process additionally require separate regulatory approvals.

Goal ‘Within Reach’

“Offshore wind is a vitally-important renewable resource that will help power our decarbonized future — both here in Rhode Island and throughout New England,” said state Energy Commissioner Nicholas Ucci. “Importantly, offshore wind can also help our electric system meet winter peak demand with stability-priced clean electricity, helping temper power price spikes faced by local homes and businesses.”

Ucci said the RFP, “coupled with other locally developed, carbon-free resources and a continued commitment to robust, cost-effective energy efficiency,” puts the state’s 100% renewable goal “within reach.”

“I am committed to ensuring that Rhode Island leverages the benefits of market competition to secure cost-competitive renewables and reduce long-term energy costs while fostering clean energy jobs and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions across our economy,” Ucci said.

Rhode Island had 933 MW of renewable energy in its portfolio as of the second quarter of 2020, representing a ninefold increase since 2016. The state target from OSW energy is 1,030 MW, with 430 MW currently selected and the potential addition of 600 MW, which would meet the target.

Added Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor: “Among U.S. jurisdictions, Rhode Island is the pioneering state in the offshore wind field. Given its first-in-the-water status, Rhode Island has positioned itself as a premier destination for offshore wind companies, suppliers and related enterprises. Under Governor Raimondo, we are pleased to be pursuing a second significant expansion of our turbine constellation, and we look forward to partnering with the industry and key stakeholders to ensure the success of this expansion.”

Northeast Clean Energy Council President Peter Rothstein said the next 10 years “must be a decade of action” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by procuring more renewable resources.

“With this announcement, Governor Raimondo recognizes that investments in offshore wind not only move us closer to 100 percent renewable electricity, but also put Rhode Island in a pole position to reap the economic benefits that this industry will deliver,” he said.