First offshore turbine installed at Orsted's US Revolution Wind for Connecticut and Rhode Island
Developer of 704MW project will deploy 65 Siemens Gamesa 11MW turbines with commissioning expected next year for southern New England states
Orsted announced 3 September it had completed installation of the first turbine at its 704MW Revolution Wind project that will bring commercial-scale offshore wind power to US industry pioneers Connecticut and Rhode Island.
When completed, the project will send 400MW to Rhode Island and 304MW to Connecticut, enough to power 340,000 homes.
“Revolution Wind is going to have a major impact in the Northeast when it comes to delivering clean energy,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “The completion of this first turbine represents a milestone as we work towards decarbonising our electric grid while also creating new, good-paying jobs in this growing sector for Connecticut residents.”
The two states signed offtake contracts with Orsted in 2018, with Rhode Island’s price at $99.5/MWh, while Connecticut came in at $98.4/MWh.
Revolution stands out in the US sector for one of the few projects that was able to go forward without contract renegotiation or cancellations that otherwise derailed sector development.
“Revolution Wind is bringing local union jobs and economic development to Rhode Island and Connecticut, and it will deliver clean offshore wind power to hundreds of thousands of homes in the region,” said David Hardy CEO Americas at Orsted.
State support
Rhode Island pioneered offshore wind with the nation's first array, Orsted's 30MW Block Island now owned by Orsted that was completed in 2016.
“The installation of the first turbine speaks to the strong private and public partnership driving the project forward,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee.
Both states have made big pushes into offshore wind as key components of their decarbonisation strategies and have invested heavily into coastal infrastructure in support of the industry.
Revolution is being marshalled out of State Pier in New London, Connecticut, which was upgraded through a public-private deal that saw Orsted contribute $75m to the state’s $235m investment.
Foundation components for the array are being manufactured in part at Rhode Island’s ProvPort likewise upgraded through public and private funding, including $100m invested by the developer.
Tristate procurement
Iberdrola’s Avangrid, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP)’s US subsidiary Vineyard Offshore, Danish pacesetter Orsted, and French-Portuguese joint venture (JV) Ocean Winds, all submitted into the state rounds.
Massachusetts, with the highest population at nearly 7 million, is seeking up to 3.6GW, in part, to replace the 2.4GW cancelled last year amid spiralling inflation and interest rates. Connecticut, which saw over 800MW of capacity voided as well, is looking to procure 2GW.
Rhode Island, the nation’s smallest state by area, is seeking up to 1.2GW. This would add to 400MW under contract and meet its ambitious energy agenda of 100% clean power by 2033.
Award announcements are expected 6 September.
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