Rhode Island Locks In 150 MW Maine Wind Farm Deal

After offshore wind projects hit repeated roadblocks, Rhode Island Energy found its answer blowing across northern Maine's forests instead of ocean waters.

The utility announced this week it has tentatively agreed to purchase 150 megawatts of wind-powered electricity from a massive onshore wind farm planned near the Canadian border in Aroostook County, Maine. Once finalized, the deal will generate enough clean energy to power 73,000 Rhode Island homes while helping the state meet its ambitious climate goals under the 2021 Act on Climate law.

The project represents New England's largest onshore wind farm, spanning 800 megawatts total. Maine already claimed 600 megawatts of that capacity, leaving Rhode Island to scoop up a significant portion of what remained.

The agreement still needs to clear two major hurdles: finalizing pricing negotiations and winning approval from the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. Pricing disputes have torpedoed past offshore wind proposals, making this step critical.

But the stars seem aligned this time around. Maine utility regulators already approved the wind array and its high-voltage transmission line in August, selecting both from a competitive process that included input from four New England states.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about keeping Rhode Island's lights on. The project promises to create more than 2,500 construction jobs and pump $2.4 billion into the regional economy, according to Maine regulators.

Maine ratepayers will save roughly $400 million, including transmission line benefits. Those savings come with an added bonus: a more stable electric grid for all of New England, protecting against the price spikes and reliability issues that have plagued the region.

The onshore approach also sidesteps some headaches that have plagued offshore projects. While the Trump administration paused federal permits for many land-based wind and solar projects in July, triggering legal battles, this Maine project wasn't on the list of 155 frozen developments. A federal judge in Oregon has since ordered regulators to resume permit reviews anyway.

Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett emphasized the deal's potential to deliver clean energy while supporting broader grid improvements. The timing couldn't be better as the state races to meet its decarbonization mandates.

Rhode Island's offshore wind ambitions aren't dead, though. Revolution Wind, the state's first large-scale offshore project, remains on track to finish by year's end. That 65-turbine array will power 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut once it starts spinning.

Together, these projects show how states are building a cleaner energy future by mixing offshore and onshore solutions, creating jobs and economic growth along the way.