Providence Water now fully powered by renewable energy

As Rhode Island’s largest water utility, Providence Water provides drinking water to approximately 600,000 Rhode Islanders. The company completed a 17,739-panel, ground-mounted, 4.99-megawatt solar project at its Pine Hill Road location in Johnston.

EDF Renewables designed and built the project at no cost to Providence Water. The Pine Hill Solar project, combined with the rooftop solar array on Providence Water’s Central Operation Facility, will provide Providence Water with 100 percent renewable energy and produce no greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to significant cost savings, the Pine Hill Road Solar Project has substantial environmental benefits, including reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

The utility company expects to save up to $600,000 in the first year, with an anticipated savings of $25 million in utility costs over the next 25 years. Providence Water has agreed to purchase power from EDF at a fixed rate of $0.0914/kWh for the next 25 years, with an additional ten-year option available.

“Sustainability has long been at the core of Providence Water’s mission, so working towards the goal of 100 percent renewable energy has been one of our most important initiatives,” said Ricky Caruolo, General Manager of Providence Water. “At our new headquarters, we installed a rooftop solar array, switched to energy-efficient LED lighting, purchased three zero-emissions Chevy Bolts and installed two electric vehicle charging stations. And now, with the completion of the 4.99-megawatt, 17,739-panel Pine Hill solar array, we have reached our goal of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources.”

The construction process required minimal tree clearing and less than one acre of land. Providence Water planted 61 seedlings near the cleared area to replace the removed trees. 

The Pine Hill Road Project was completed in July 2020 and began operation in August.

“This project could not have happened without the hard work of many Providence Water employees; our project partners, AEP OnSite Partners and EDF Renewables; and the Town of Johnston. Working cooperatively, we were able to bring this project from RFP to operation in two years,” said Caruolo.