New power plant to go on line in R.I.

JOHNSTON, R.I. – A new power plant is expected to generate electricity for the first time next weekend, with plans to start regularly delivering power to the region’s grid in October.

The $400 million facility, owned by Florida-based FPL Energy, will allow Rhode Island to contribute more electricity to the region’s power grid, according to The Providence Sunday Journal.

Plants throughout Rhode Island now can generate almost 1,400 megawatts at any given time, the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp. said.

The capacity will rise to 1,945 megawatts after the Johnston facility is at full capacity. That figure is more than double last year’s average hourly demand for electricity in Rhode Island.

“We have an excess of generation,” said Elia Germani, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission. “At some point, that should result in lower market prices for that power.”