Rhode Island approves state’s first major offshore wind energy contract

Scott Blake

05/28/2019

RHODE ISLAND officials Tuesday approved the state's first major offshore wind contract. The Revolution Wind project will involve 85 massive wind turbines like those pictured above at the five-turbine Block Island Wind Farm, developed in 2016. / BLOOMBERG NEWS FILE PHOTO/ERIC THAYER — OPPORTUNITY LOST? The decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior to extend an environmental review of the Vineyard Wind project puts the potential construction of the Revolution Wind wind energy farm in jeopardy. / BLOOMBERG NEWS FILE PHOTO/ERIC THAYER

PROVIDENCE – State regulators Tuesday approved what was described as a historically significant agreement in the movement away from fossil fuels, clearing the way for the eventual construction of offshore wind turbines to generate a large portion of Rhode Island’s future electricity needs. The R.I. Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved a 20-year “power purchase” agreement…