PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo announced Monday that she has directed her energy team to collaborate with state utilities to issue a Request For Proposal by the end of the summer in order to bring up to 400 megawatts of clean energy to Rhode Island.
The R.I. Office of Energy Resources will work with state utilities to create a competitive request for proposals. The state’s energy team will seek to create a diverse mix of clean-energy resources, including onshore wind, hydro and solar.
The RFP collaboration is part of Raimondo’s goal of generating 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy in the state by 2020.
Rhode Island has more than doubled the amount of clean-energy generation since March 2017 from 100 watts to 230 watts, according to a Governor’s Office news release.
State Energy Commissioner Carol Grant cited in a statement the new Block Island Wind Farm and the state’s energy-efficiency programs as some of the groundwork that will help the state reach Raimondo’s goal.
“Local homeowners, businesses and governments are actively installing renewable-energy projects throughout the state, which is helping our environment while bolstering the state’s clean-energy industry,” Grant said in the statement.
“Our commitment to [a] green energy future is good for our environment and good for our economy,” said Raimondo in a statement. “Our investments and commitment to fighting climate change will create jobs and protect our environment.”
Raimondo’s goal includes adding 20,000 green jobs by 2020. The state has seen an increase of 5,000 green jobs, or 66 percent, since 2014.
Lauren Aratani is a PBN contributing writer.
Correction: A previous version of this story inaccurately identified the timeline of the Governor’s proposal. No change to the governor’s 2020 clean energy goal was announced.
