Offshore staff
RHODE ISLAND — The US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council on Dec. 7 approved the construction of a $1.5 billion offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island.
The Revolution Wind project, a 50:50 partnership between Orsted and Eversource, would bring 704 MW clean energy to Connecticut and Rhode Island.
The South Fork wind farm off the coast of New York is another offshore project by the two wind energy developers. It delivered its first power to the state's power grid on Dec. 6.
In March, the Rhode Island utility rejected Orsted's proposal to build Revolution Wind's second stage, 884-MW Revolution Wind 2, saying it would be too costly for consumers.
Sunrise Wind project
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental review of the proposed Sunrise Wind energy project, a joint project between Eversource and Ørsted.
The project is located about 16.4 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., about 26.5 nm east of Montauk, N.Y., and 14.5 nm from Block Island, R.I.
BOEM estimates the proposed 924-MW project will power more than 320,000 homes with clean, renewable energy.
The project plan submitted by Sunrise Wind LLC includes up to 94 wind turbine generators and their associated export cables. The onshore export cables, substation and grid connection is located in Holbrook, N.Y. The lease area covers about 86,823 acres.
In response to comments from government partners, key stakeholders and the public, and after considering project feasibility, BOEM developed a preferred alternative that includes fewer turbines (84 wind turbine generators) to accommodate geotechnical feasibility of the project, reduce impacts to benthic habitat and Atlantic cod, and meet the energy needs of New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. BOEM considers all alternatives in the development of its final decision.
BOEM plans to issue a record of decision on whether to approve the project early next year, and, if so, identify any conditions of approval.
12.11.2023
