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April 3, 2008

State seeks proposals for off-shore wind farm

PROVIDENCE -- Wind farm developers, show us your plans.

That’s the message Governor Carcieri sent today to private developers who may be interested in building a massive off-shore wind farm that would generate at least 15 percent of the electricity consumed throughout Rhode Island -- about 1.3 million megawatts of power a year.

At a State House news conference this afternoon, Carcieri announced that the state has begun a formal “Request for Proposals” process in which it seeks a partner in the private sector who would construct, finance and operate the wind farm. The project is expected to be about the same size and scope of the proposed Cape Wind project in Massachusetts and cost perhaps $1.25 billion, said Andrew Dzykewicz, the governor’s chief energy adviser.

The state would not play a role in financing the project. But the state would “use its best efforts to expedite the permitting process,” the RFP states. And the state will “use its best efforts” to assure a long-term contract for energy produced by the facility.

The governor said the “preferred site” is off the south and western shores of Block Island, but others may be considered. He said he wants proposals to include providing power to Block Island so that the 1,000 residents there can see some relief in electricity rates. They are currently paying about 40 cents per kilowatt hour, more than four times the rate paid by mainland residents.

The deadline for proposals to be submitted is May 16. The governor’s office said the state will choose the winning proposal based on the total cost to Rhode Island ratepayers, the qualifications and experience of the developer and the number of jobs and tax revenue the project would create.

-- Journal staff writer Timothy C. Barmann

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 3:33 PM | Permalink

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