Rhode Island Energy joins New England state partners to select solar portfolio of projects

Daily Energy Insider | Kim Riley
September 29, 2026

Rhode Island Energy, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources have jointly selected clean energy projects totaling 102.4 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation.

Through the collaborative, multi-state, competitive solicitation, Connecticut will procure 63.4 MW across three projects, with the remainder procured by Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the group said Sept. 24.

“No single state can address New England’s energy challenges alone,” said Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett on Friday. “This collaboration demonstrates how regional partnerships can deliver practical solutions that expand electricity supply, strengthen grid reliability, and provide customers with access to competitively sourced clean energy.”

“We’re pleased to work alongside our neighboring states to advance projects that will benefit Rhode Island Energy customers and the broader New England region for years to come,” Cornett added.

The selected portfolio of projects will improve the reliability of the state and region’s electric grid, save New England ratepayers money on energy supply and capacity market costs, and increase the state’s electricity supply with clean, emission-free resources, said the group in a joint statement.

“By partnering with Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Connecticut can secure additional clean energy resources while sharing project output and expanding the benefits across the region,” Acting DEEP Commissioner Emma Cimino said. “These solar projects will strengthen New England’s electricity supply and support our shared affordability, reliability, and climate goals.”

Massachusetts Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony said solar is the fastest way to add affordable power to the shared electric grid.

“This multi-state collaboration brings clean energy and economic development opportunities to our region and helps us meet demand,” she said. “Every summer, solar keeps our lights on and saves ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars during extreme heat, and in winter, solar adds reliability to our grid.”

The projects were selected pursuant to a Feb. 11 Requests for Proposals (RFP) from DEEP seeking cost-effective, zero-carbon resources to support an affordable and reliable electricity supply while advancing Connecticut’s greenhouse gas reduction requirements and broader energy and environmental goals.

The RFP was conducted in coordination with Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont to maximize savings and reliability benefits to ratepayers by sharing costs between states and ensuring procurement of affordable and reliable new zero-carbon electricity.

All selected projects must begin delivering electricity by the end of 2032, with project schedules designed, where applicable, to meet eligibility deadlines for federal tax credits and other federal support. DEEP is still evaluating the nuclear proposals submitted in response to this RFP and plans to make an announcement about those projects at a later date.

The selected projects and state shares are:

• Connecticut — Keene Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar in Keene, N.H. (30 MW); West Baldwin Solar Station, Glenvale Solar in Baldwin, Maine (17 MW); and Emery Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar in Buxton, Maine (16.4 MW).
• Rhode Island — Keene Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar in Keene, N.H. (20 MW).
• Massachusetts — Saco Solar-Saco, Greenskies (19 MW).

“We’re pleased that our Saco Solar project was selected through this process and appreciate the collaboration between Massachusetts and Connecticut in advancing clean energy solutions in New England,” said Greenskies CEO Vijay Singh. “This project reflects Greenskies’ commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective renewable energy that supports regional energy goals and creates long-term value for customers and communities.”

Combined, the four solar projects represent 102.4 MW of new solar generation. The portfolio is expected to produce approximately 190,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year, and Connecticut’s share is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the annual usage of more than 22,000 residential homes.

“We congratulate Connecticut DEEP and the partnering New England states on their continued commitment to carbon-free energy projects,” said Glenvale Solar CEO Aiden Foley. “The collaborative approach will benefit ratepayers and host communities, while supporting the reliability of our energy system in the coming years.”