<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from  the
Registrant's  unaudited interim  financial  statements for the nine month period
ended March 31, 2000 and is  qualified  in its  entirety by  reference  to those
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000924386
<NAME> RIDGEWOOD  ELECTRIC POWER TRUST I

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                       1,238,342
<SECURITIES>                                 6,537,287<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,240,185<F2>
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,777,472
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           84,615<F3>
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                             0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   7,692,857<F4>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,777,472
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               443,698
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                32,260
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                411,348
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            411,348
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   411,348
<EPS-BASIC>                                    3,899
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    3,899

<FN>
<F1>Investments in power project partnerships.
<F2>Includes $1,111 due from affiliates.
<F3>Includes $56,277 due to affiliates.
<F3>Represents Investor Shares of beneficial interest
in Trust with capital accounts of $7,706,088 less
managing shareholder's accumulated deficit of $13,231.
</FN>