EmploymentCrossing.com Rhode Island has chosen Deepwater Wind to build a $1 billion dollar offshore wind farm. The Ocean State offered the contract as part of an initiative to get 15% of its electricity from wind power. Republican governor Donald Carcieri touted the project's potential to bring "green collar" jobs to the state, and position it as a leader in an emerging clean energy technology. Part of the deal includes a provision that the Deepwater Wind build a $1.5 billion manufacturing plant in Rhode Island that promises 800 jobs at an average annual salary of $60 million. While wind power produces only 1% of U.S. electricity today, some estimate it could produce as much as 20% by 2030. Rhode Island is among the states to have set a renewable energy mandate that 20% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020. Barack Obama's energy plan includes a mandate that utilities generate 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2025.