Rhode Island Energy, a PPL Corp. utility, issued a request for proposals on Oct. 14 for up to 1,000 MW of offshore wind, marking the latest advance by East Coast states toward developing the offshore wind sector.
Amendments to Rhode Island’s Affordable Clean Energy Security Act, signed into law in June, required Rhode Island Energy to issue an RFP for 600 MW to 1,000 MW of offshore wind.
“All approved projects, regardless of their location, must improve energy system reliability and security; enhance economic competitiveness by reducing energy costs to attract new investment and job growth opportunities and protect the quality of life and environment for all residents and business,” Rhode Island Energy said in the solicitation.
The utility aims to enter into 15- to 20-year power purchase agreements for energy and renewable energy credits from offshore wind facilities.
Each bid must be for at least 100 MW, according to the RFP. Rhode Island Energy will consider joint proposals from separate projects as long as they share delivery and interconnection facilities.
Bidders must show their projects have a “credible” operation date, according to Rhode Island Energy.
The utility said it is seeking projects from which the expected generation can be delivered without significant constraints or curtailments. “Consequently, bidders must demonstrate that their proposed point of delivery into [ISO New England,] along with their proposed interconnection and transmission or distribution system upgrades, is sufficient to ensure full delivery consistent with the proposal’s submitted generation profile,” Rhode Island Energy said.
The utility plans to hold a bidders conference Nov. 1 to discuss the RFP. Bids are due Feb. 1, and the utility plans to submit any final contracts for review by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on Oct. 4.
“With the release of the state’s largest offshore wind procurement RFP to date, Rhode Island is demonstrating our commitment to securing clean energy, reducing our dependence on natural gas, stabilizing long-term energy costs for consumers and capturing significant economic development and job benefits,” interim state Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns said in a statement.
The offshore wind procurement could meet at least 30% of Rhode Island’s estimated 2030 electricity demand, according to Gov. Dan McKee. The existing 30-MW Block Island Wind Farm and the planned 400-MW Revolution Wind offshore project could meet another 20% of Rhode Island’s power supply, McKee said.
