<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from the Registrant's audited financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 1996 and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to those financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000924386
<NAME> RIDGEWOOD ELECTRIC POWER TRUST I
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                         327,322
<SECURITIES>                                 6,810,208<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               694,989
<PP&E>                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,505,197
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          900,556
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                   6,604,641<F2>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,505,197
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               609,537
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                        0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               112,735
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                496,802
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            496,802
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   496,802
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    4,709
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    4,709

<FN>
<F1>Investments in power project partnerships.
<F2>Represents Investor Shares of beneficial interest
in Trust with capital accounts of $6,628,753 less
managing shareholder's accumulated deficit of $24,112.
</FN>