Wind

US greenlights Orsted-Eversource's two-state offshore Revolution Wind array

704MW project split between Connecticut and Rhode Island is fourth record of decision issued, allowing it to proceed to construction

President Joe Biden’s administration approved its fourth commercial-scale offshore wind project, the 704MW Revolution Wind split between the New England states of Connecticut and Rhode Island amid growing political pushback and ongoing economic challenges.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), lead regulator of energy development in federal waters, issued a record of decision (ROD) for the project, clearing the way for it to enter construction, expected to begin in weeks.

Revolution is owned by a joint venture (JV) of Danish developer Orsted and local utility Eversource.

“President Biden has set an ambitious goal of achieving 30GW of offshore wind by 2030 – and I am more confident than ever that we will meet it,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. BOEM is an agency of the Department of Interior.

“Together with industry, labour and partners from coast to coast, we are building an entirely new industry off the east and west and Gulf coasts.”

The project, located 17 miles (27 km) offshore Rhode Island, follows US flagship 800MW Vineyard Wind to Massachusetts, and 132MW South Fork to New York, also owned by Orsted-Eversource.
Orsted’s solo project, the 1.1GW Ocean Wind 1 to New Jersey, likewise received its ROD last month.
The US offshore wind sector is driving some $20bn investments into project and supply chain development that represents “thousands of good-paying union jobs,” according to National Climate advisor Ali Zaidi.

It will send 400MW of power to the Rhode Island grid and 304MW to Connecticut, powering some 350,000 homes across both states.

“Revolution Wind will be key to Rhode Island and Connecticut's clean energy future,” said David Hardy, Orsted’s CEO Americas.

The JV is also developing the 920MW Sunrise Wind array, also for New York, that is expected to be fully approved by BOEM later this year.

Approval queue

The ROD release for Revolution Wind brings the current US pipeline project approvals for construction to 2.7GW, with more than 13GW of projects awaiting final environmental review.

The Biden administration has set a goal of approving 16 environmental reviews before 2025.

Liz Burdock, CEO of industry advocate Business Network for Offshore Wind, said: “Today’s announcement bolsters investments in component production at ProvPort in Rhode Island, cable manufacturing in South Carolina, steel fabrication in western New York, and shipbuilding in Texas and Louisiana.”

Revolution is expected to generate 1,200 new jobs , while the JV's three projects under development are spearheading millions of dollars of investment.

The partnership has committed $100m towards redeveloping the New London, Connecticut State Pier as its marshalling hub for all three projects. South Fork’s dozen 11MW Siemens Gamesa turbines are already being staged out of the port.

It has also established a regional offshore wind foundation component manufacturing facility at Rhode Island’s ProvPort, where Revolution’s components are already being built.

The JV also signed first US agreement for crew transfer helicopters, including a $1.8m investment in Quonset State Airport where the helicopters are based and currently supporting South Fork Wind's construction.

Josh Kaplowitz, vice president for offshore wind at industry advocacy group American Clean Power Association, said that timely and efficient permitting by multiple state and federal agencies serves as “a model for future projects in the pipeline”.

“Predictable permitting for offshore wind projects off the coast of New England is needed to ensure the region continues serving as a leader in offshore wind development,” he added.

Industry opposition

Despite these successes, the US offshore wind sector has grown increasingly contentious, with inflation fuelled cost overruns leading to projects seeking renegotiation or even cancellation.
Eversource has already sold off its interests in undeveloped lease acreage to Orsted and has signalled it is looking to exit the partnership.

Whales continue to wash ashore Atlantic beaches. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration counted 29 massive humpback whales stranded this year alone – 25 of them in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia – all states with early and extensive offshore wind development.

Industry opponents blame the highly visible whale mortality on offshore wind development, galvanising ongoing protests and litigation.

BOEM is “committed to working closely with Tribes, state and local leaders, industry, ocean users, and key stakeholders to responsibly develop this clean energy resource and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.” said director Elizabeth Klein.

Fisheries have likewise mounted strenuous objections to industry development, and Revolution Wind has committed to establishing fishery mitigation funds to compensate for losses directly arising from the project in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and other states.
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Published 22 August 2023, 17:25Updated 2 October 2023, 13:28
AmericasUSOrstedEversourceRhode Island