New England utility National Grid has rejected another proposal to buy electricity from a $200 million wind farm to be built off the coast of Rhode Island by Deepwater Wind, according to The Providence Journal.
The project, which would deliver power to Block Island and serve as a trial for larger offshore wind farms, has strong support from Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri. In June he signed a bill into law requiring National Grid and other utilities operating in the state to purchase green power.
However, National Grid sent a letter to state regulators last week stating that Deepwater’s proposed cost of 25.3 cents per kilowatt-hour is too high compared to the 9.2 cents per kilowatt-hour the company currently pays for electricity generated from conventional sources.
The report asserts that the latest rejection does not mean failure for the project. National Grid offered some flexibility in future negotiations, and state regulators have until January 31 to approve a contract.
Read the full report at the link below.