Rhode Island ranks first in the nation for growth in percent increase in wind energy production since 2015, according to Environment Rhode Island Research & Policy Center’s State of Renewable Energy 2025 report.

The report documents the growth of six key renewable energy technologies across the United States over the past decade: solar power; wind power; battery storage; energy efficiency; electric vehicles; and electric vehicle charging stations.

It was released May 7 as Congress considers repealing tax credits that make it easier for Americans to choose renewable energy.

“The simple truth about renewable energy is that power from the sun and wind doesn’t pollute, never runs out and shows up for free,” said Rex Wilmouth, director of Environment Rhode Island. “Rhode Island has abundant renewable energy resources and smart, efficient technology to harvest, store, and share it. Now is the time to let more Rhode Islanders choose [renewable] energy, not make it harder for them.”

The report details Rhode Island’s progress:

Wind power: Rhode Island has seen a more than 17-fold increase in wind power production since 2015.

Solar power: Rhode Island has seen a 48-fold increase in the amount of electricity it gets from the sun since 2015.

Overall renewables: In 2015, Rhode Island generated less than 1% of retail electricity sales from renewable energy sources. In 2024, wind and solar generated enough electricity to meet 20% of retail electricity sales in the state. In 2022, Rhode Island codified a goal of requiring electric suppliers to annually increase renewable energy generation until reaching 100% by 2033.

Electric vehicles: As of 2023 Rhode Island had a total of 5,943 electric vehicles registered in the state, up from 83 in 2014.

“Rhode Island has work to do to meet its renewable energy goals,” Wilmouth said. “But, our progress to date should give us the confidence to do more.”

In addition to highlighting states leading the way on renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, the United States produced more than three times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2024 as in 2015.

The report’s authors recommend that Congress keeps in place federal renewable energy tax credits that allow more Americans to choose cleaner energy. They also encourage lawmakers and regulators to adopt policies for permitting and interconnection that make adopting renewable energy technologies easier.

“When we reduce energy waste and replace polluting energy sources with renewables, we’re building a safer, healthier world for ourselves and future generations,” Wilmouth said.