Pawtucket Awards Contract for Renewable Net Metering
City expected to save tens of millions of dollars over the next 25 years
PAWTUCKET – Under Rhode Island’s Renewable Net Metering Credit program, the City of Pawtucket has awarded a contract to Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC for a net metering agreement that will provide discounted solar power to the City for the next 25 years. Estimates over the span of the agreement expect the City to save tens of millions of dollars.
“The City is always looking for ways to save taxpayer money. The agreement with Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC will be one way to do so over the next two and a half decades,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “This long term solution to using power will save tens of millions of dollars all while reducing climate-related risk and dependence on fossil fuels through an environmentally friendly approach.”
With legislation enacted in Rhode Island in 2011, companies are able to offer municipalities in Rhode Island a discount on their electricity bills by selling the electricity to National Grid at a discounted rate.
According to the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources website, “Net metering allows customers with eligible renewable energy systems to receive bill credits for all power generated up to 125 percent of the on-site consumption during a billing period. Public entities (municipal, state, quasi-state) are allowed to enter into virtual net metering arrangements with renewable energy developers for up to 10 MW per project site.”
“Of the 9 firms that responded to the Request for Proposal, Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC was identified as the firm that demonstrated project readiness and provided the larger discount rate, which means greater savings for the City,” said Pawtucket Commerce Director Jeanne Boyle.
Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC has demonstrated that it is ready for construction upon the signing of the contract. The firm has also offered a percentage discount of 35% off the current and future projected electricity rates over the next 25 years, which was the highest amongst all of the responses.
The City will be supplied with solar power to offset the cost of powering City owned buildings and properties. The project itself will have no cost to the City and does not require any City investment. Southern Sky Renewable Energy RI, LLC will be building a solar facility in Hopkinton, Rhode Island and discounted electricity bills are expected to begin by the first quarter of 2020.