Rhode Island Offers Model Municipal Ordinance Template and Rebates for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Rhode Island is incentivizing the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS). The 2024 Energy Storage Systems Act R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-26.1-10 established a statewide goal of 90 MW of energy storage capacity by 2026, with additional deployment targets of 600 MW by 2033. The state is encouraging BESS installations to help store intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar; thereby allowing for BESS energy use during high demand periods. Such energy storage reduces the need for existing or new fossil fuel power generation to cover peak demand for electricity.

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) announced a new rebate program at the 2026 Rhode Island League of Municipalities Annual Conference in March, noting that a $2 million grant award from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will be used to provide these rebates to residential and commercial BESS owners and developers. The rebate program OER rebates of up to $8,000 (residential) or $45,500 (commercial) for new BESS installations. Income-eligible residential customers may qualify for rebates up to $16,000. 

OER has developed a Draft BESS Model Ordinance template to support municipalities in planning for and regulating these projects. The ordinance template includes reference documents including Best Practices and Considerations for Siting Battery Storage Systems.

The Draft BESS Model Ordinance Template is currently out for public comment until April 30, 2026. Please email all public comments in PDF format, preferably on your organization’s letterhead, to Ian.Plante.INT@energy.ri.gov. 

GZA provides engineering consulting services for BESS projects to project developers, including geotechnical, acoustic and environmental services. Check us out at www.gza.com.