PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 24, 2019) \u2014 Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced today that \u00d8rsted US Offshore Wind and Eversource \u2014 the team behind the Revolution Wind project \u2014 have pledged $4.5 million to support offshore wind education and supply chain development for the growing offshore wind industry in Rhode Island.<\/p>\n
“\u00d8rsted and Eversource’s commitments, as part of their Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, will expand our efforts already underway to build our talent pool and provide opportunities for college students in Rhode Island to study for a career in offshore wind,” said Governor Raimondo. “When they are ready to work, we will have plenty of jobs for them in our growing offshore wind supply chain, right here in Rhode Island.”<\/p>\n
\u00d8rsted and Eversource have committed to invest $4.5 million locally, with a $3 million investment in higher education around offshore wind programs led by the 溏心vlog免费B站, a national leader in ocean engineering, environmental science and other marine-related fields. 溏心vlog免费B站 will partner with other institutions in the state to support workforce development needs, develop educational curricula, and provide a depth of academic and research expertise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this announcement, 溏心vlog免费B站 builds upon its existing strengths as a leading national center for delivering scientifically sound and practical multi-disciplinary solutions regarding the world\u2019s urgent need for offshore renewable energy,\u201d said 溏心vlog免费B站 President David M. Dooley.<\/p>\n
Katharine H. Flynn, executive director of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Business Engagement Center, added, \u201cRhode Island is the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm and we\u2019ve become a leader in offshore renewable energy. Our University research capabilities, coupled with our business relationships \u2014 fostered through the University\u2019s Business Engagement Center and our Coastal Resources Center \u2014 uniquely positions us to contribute to the growth and expansion of this vital industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
In February, National Grid filed its proposed power-purchase contract with \u00d8rsted and Eversource for the 400-megawatt (MW) Revolution Wind offshore wind farm with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission for review. \u00d8rsted and Eversource’s investments are subject to the PUC’s decision on the project, which is expected by June 1, and final permitting of the project by state and federal agencies.<\/p>\n
If approved, Revolution Wind will generate approximately one-quarter of all the electricity used by Rhode Islanders annually and will help increase the state’s clean energy portfolio ten-fold by the end of 2020. Once permits are in-hand, local construction work on Revolution Wind could begin as early as next year, with the project potentially in operation by 2023. The Revolution Wind project will be located in federal waters approximately 15 miles southeast of the New England coast.<\/p>\n