It turns out
the smallest state in our union is actually a bit of a giant when it comes to
renewable energy.
Rhode Island
has used its maritime traditions and some ingenuity to hardness the winds
offshore for some massive energy projects. Deepwater Wind, based in Providence,
became the first company to operate an offshore wind project in the U.S. when
the 30 MC Block Island Wind Farm opened in 2016. Deepwater Wind was the
purchased for $510 million by Danish energy company Ørsted, creating Ørsted US
Offshore Wind, which is now based jointly out of Boston and Providence.
A second
facility, Revolution Wind, went into development soon after, and promises to
deliver 400 MW of power to Rhode Island. Not only does this bring the promise
of sustainable energy for the state of Rhode Island, but also more green jobs
along with it.
The Block
Island Wind Farm created 300 jobs for the local economy during its
construction, while Revolution Wind is expected to considerably surpass that
number, creating 800 jobs. Since 2014, clean energy employment in Rhode Island
has grown 72 percent, creating 6.650 new jobs. And more are sure to be on the
way, even beyond those associated with Revolution Wind.
That’s because in order to meet Gov. Gina Raimondo’s goal of increasing the
state’s clean energy supply to 1 GW by 2020, a lot of work is still to be done.
These green jobs could come from wind, solar, or any other niche within the
renewable energy sector.
While solar jobs were down in the state last year as they were all around the
country, they are expected to bounce back, with demand increasing and growing
renewable energy infrastructure. Despite being our nation’s smallest state,
Rhode Island has grand ambitions for renewable energy and seems poised to be a
national leader in the sustainable movement.
For the latest in green jobs and sustainability news,
make sure to stay tuned here to the blog.
Green Jobs
How to Apply for a Green Job With the demand for green jobs skyrocketing so far in 2017, giving yourself a unique edge can be difficult—yet absolutely necessary—in order for you to become a proud worker for Mother Earth. Follow these steps to successfully claim your next environmentally friendly employment opportunity. 1. Resume: Make sure … Continue reading..
