South Fork Wind Makes History: First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Powers Up in the US

New York's South Fork Wind has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first utility-scale offshore wind farm to generate power in the United States.

The inaugural wind turbine at South Fork Wind, located around 35 miles off Montauk, sent clean power to Long Island, marking the operational commencement of the project. According to Electrek, the installation of all 12 SG 11-200 DD Siemens Gamesa turbines is expected to be completed by early 2024.

A Milestone in the US Clean Energy Sector

A 20-year agreement governs the supply of clean energy by South Fork Wind to the Long Island Power Authority. The executive director of offshore wind group Turn Forward, Stephanie McClellan, called the event a turning point in American sustainable energy "that will benefit from this project for decades to come."

The first utility-scale wind farm on federal waterways in the US is 130 MW at South Fork Wind. Danish renewables company Ørsted and Boston-based energy supplier Eversource are collaborating on the project. The offshore wind farm's journey began with the installation of its first turbine foundation in June, and the first US-built offshore substation was completed in July.

The wind farm could power 70,000 New York households with sustainable energy and eliminate 6 million tons of carbon emissions within 25 years.

Meanwhile, the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently approved Revolution Wind's construction and operations plan for its utility-scale offshore wind farm in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Revolution Wind aims to deliver 400 MW of clean offshore wind power to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut, powering over 350,000 homes in both states. GRN reported that the project will significantly contribute to their climate goals and is expected to generate various job opportunities, including direct, indirect, and induced positions, along with permanent roles in operations and maintenance.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee emphasized the significance of Revolution Wind in advancing the state's clean energy future and supporting the blue economy. As part of Rhode Island's 2033 goal of 100% renewable energy, offshore construction and installation will begin in 2024.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont stressed the significance of wind power in the state's clean energy plan to provide "clean, reliable and affordable power" to citizens and businesses. Onshore development is continuing, with offshore operations increasing in 2024 and aiming for a 2025 launch.

US Slowly Catching Up in Wind Energy

Compared to worldwide trends, offshore wind energy development in the US has been slow. The US experienced delays and obstacles as Europe adopted offshore wind turbines in the 1990s. While Europe embraced offshore wind farms in the 1990s, the United States faced delays and challenges, per Barron's.

A notable example is the Cape Cod project in Massachusetts, announced in 2001, encountered legal issues due to local concerns about the impact on scenic views, ultimately leading to its quiet cessation in 2017.