U.S.’s first offshore wind farm nearing completion
by The Associated Press
At just 15 megawatts, the project off Rhode Island is relatively small, but its completion is expected to kick-start a wider U.S. offshore wind movement
The final components for the offshore turbines should arrive at the construction site off Block Island from France in about a week. PHOTO: Deepwater Wind
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Construction at the site of the nation’s first offshore wind farm is entering its final phase.
Deepwater Wind is building a five-turbine wind farm off Block Island, Rhode Island.
Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo visited the Port of Providence on Monday to see the main components for the turbines before they’re brought offshore.
Raimondo says Rhode Island is leading the way in the new U.S. offshore wind industry and that she “loves it” when Rhode Island is first.
She says it’s helping the state’s economy.
Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski says the final components should be arriving from France in about a week.
Grybowski says the wind farm should be operational this fall, a “momentous occasion.”
The cabling was recently completed.
The wind farm is expected to power about 17,000 homes.
