September 2008
Status of US Offshore Wind Development Activity by State
Public sector initiatives and responses to development proposals
Rhode Island
Office of Energy Resources (OER)
ACTION:
Results released from a 2006 Governor-commissioned wind siting study to assess the feasibility of meeting 15% of state's energy needs from wind. Conclusions included that in gross terms wind could provide 75% of need, much of it from offshore sites. ID'd 10 potential sites. Also suggested that RI would benefit from establishing a RI Power Authority. Initiated stakeholder process to review the 10 possible sites.
STATUS:
OER issued Offshore Wind Stakeholders Final Report in Feb 2008. Identified issues to be considered in siting and questions requiring analysis.
ACTION:
In January 2008 OER signed MOU with URI, providing $200,000 to fund the RI Energy Partnership and the creation of a Center of Excellence in Research for Offshore Renewable Energy.
STATUS:
The center was approved and created in May 2008 and research and public outreach activities launched in Fall 2008.
ACTION:
Issued an RFP seeking proposals from companies to design, build, finance and operate a wind generation facility in the waters off [Rhode Island’s] coast to supply not less that 15% of the energy consumed by RI’s electricity customers (not less than 1.3 million MW-hrs./yr.) The presumptive preferred site is identified in RIWINDS, Phase I: Wind Energy Siting Study, but other sites may be considered.
STATUS:
Seven proposals were submitted. On September 26, 2008 Governor Carcieri announced Deepwater Wind was chosen as the developer.
Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC)
ACTION:
Will define use zones for Rhode Island’s offshore waters, including “wind energy zones,” through a research and planning process that integrates the best available science and coastal/ocean management experience with open public input and involvement. In partnership with 60-member multi-disciplinary team from URI. $1.6 million initial funding from the State Energy Office. The two-year commitment from OER is $3.6 million.
STATUS:
Launched
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