Rhode Island's windy beaches may soon have more than a view of windsurfers.
That's because Deepwater Wind on Thursday was selected to build an off-shore wind farm off Rhode Island.
“Off-shore is more feasible in Rhode Island due to the wind there,” says Matt Kaplan, an Analyst for Emerging Energy Research.
The projected is expected to provide 1.3 million megawatt hours per year, roughly 15 percent of the state’s annual electricity needs. The wind project, announced by Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcier, is expected to cost more than $1 billion, with funding coming from private investment sources.
Off-shore wind farms can produce higher amounts of electricity than on-shore wind farms because there's less obstruction and more constant wind. In terms of its effectiveness in comparison to solar or geothermal, Kaplan says that it is “entirely dependent on the site and the size of the project.”
The concern about size and location makes off-shore wind even more fitting for Rhode Island, which, as the smallest U.S. state with an area of 1,500 square miles, may not have ample space to create facilities that will generate as much energy as off-shore farms.
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography are helping manage the process of finding the best location for the windfarm.
“Off-shore wind power is a critical piece of the national energy solution. We can reduce carbon emissions, stabilize energy prices, and create good jobs right here in the Ocean State,” Gov. Carcieri said in the statement.