Achieving Rhode Island’s goal of using 100% renewable energy by 2030 is possible, a state report said, but it will require the ongoing construction of renewable energy projects as transportation and heating transition to electric power.
The report released Wednesday from the state’s Office of Energy Resources was produced by The Brattle Group. The consulting firm described the production capacity needed and the estimated costs required to reach the ambitious clean energy goal.
Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order last year making 2030 the target date for the state to completely transition to renewable energy sources. It directed the state to study and develop ways to achieve that goal, the state’s Office of Energy Resources said in a statement.
The state’s Renewable Energy Standard actually sets standards for the percentage of renewable energy supplied in the state, the Providence Journal reported.
An offshore wind farm that is waiting for federal approval would provide a large portion of the required clean energy, and another proposed offshore windfarm would make up another major portion, the newspaper reported. The remaining clean energy production would come from various solar installations and the purchase of renewable energy certificates.