Solidifies Joint Venture’s Commitment to Rhode Island and Connecticut's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm; Onshore Construction Work Ramping Up
Oct 31 2023 08:12PM
Providence, R.I., October 31, 2023 – Joint venture partners Ørsted and Eversource have taken final investment decision (FID) on Revolution Wind, Rhode Island and Connecticut's first utility-scale offshore wind farm. This FID results in the joint venture’s official commencement of the full scope of construction of the 704-megawatt offshore wind project.
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Revolution Wind will create thousands of direct, indirect, and induced jobs, as well as permanent operations and maintenance jobs across both states. Once complete, the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind will deliver 400 megawatts of clean, affordable offshore wind power to Rhode Island and 304 megawatts of the same to Connecticut, powering more than 350,000 homes across the two states and helping the states reach their ambitious climate goals.
“Revolution Wind is key to Rhode Island and Connecticut’s clean energy future and the growth of the region’s blue economy,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted. “With our final investment decision, we’re solidifying our commitment to building this second offshore wind farm for Rhode Island, and the first offshore wind project for Connecticut. We’re already making major investments in local union jobs and port infrastructure to support this project, and that effort will expand in the coming months.”
“With this joint final investment decision, we are ready for the start of the full scope of construction for Revolution Wind,” said Joe Nolan Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy. “We’re ramping up onshore construction of the transmission system of this critical clean energy project, which will deliver enough renewable energy to power more than 350,000 homes in both Rhode Island and Connecticut. We’re proud to be part of the Revolution Wind partnership and to deliver clean renewable energy to meet the commitments for each state’s respective energy goals.”
Revolution Wind received its Record of Decision in August from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), paving the way for the project to begin onshore construction. Revolution Wind expects to receive approval from BOEM on its construction and operations plan in November, the final approval required in the agency’s review of the project. The project is expected to be operational in 2025.
As part of Revolution Wind, Eversource and Ørsted have already made several local investments, including:
- Committed more than $100 million in direct investment to the State Pier redevelopment project in the Port of New London, transforming the site into a state-of-the-art, heavy-lift marine terminal where Revolution Wind turbines will be staged and assembled. Staging and assembly for South Fork Wind is currently underway at the port.
- Established a regional offshore wind foundation component manufacturing facility at ProvPort, where Revolution Wind components are already being built.
- Partnered with two local shipyards – Blount Boats, in Warren, R.I., and Senesco Marine, in Quonset Point, R.I. – to build five new crew-transfer vessel.
- Invested $1 million to establish a training partnership with the Community College of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Island Commerce, the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council and Building Futures.
- Signed first-ever U.S. offshore wind helicopter agreement for new crew helicopters, including a $1.8 million investment in Quonset State Airport where the helicopters are based and currently supporting South Fork Wind's construction.
- Collaborated with Waterford, Connecticut-based marine services provider Sea Services North America, and its partner fishermen in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York to support safe navigation in and around the companies' Northeast offshore wind farms.
- Contributed $1.25 million to Mystic Aquarium to support critical marine research and wildlife protection as well as educational programming and career resources for women and children.
- Contributed $950,000 to Groton-based Project Oceanology to launch a hands-on, inquiry-based K-12 STEM program focused on climate change, sustainability, energy generation and offshore wind.
- Partnered with Groton, Connecticut-based maritime automation technology developer ThayerMahan to monitor wildlife and seabeds in connection with the Revolution Wind.
About Ørsted
A global clean energy leader, Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted is the first energy company in the world with a science-based net-zero emissions target as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
In the United States, the company has approximately 700 employees and a growing portfolio of clean energy assets and partnerships that includes offshore wind energy, land-based wind energy, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. A leader across the renewable energy sector in the United States, Ørsted holds the top position in offshore wind energy with approximately 5 gigawatts in development and operates America's first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Block Island. Ørsted has a total U.S. land-based capacity of 5 gigawatts across wind, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. To learn more about the Ørsted U.S. business, visit us.orsted.com or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@ØrstedUS).
About Eversource
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2023 and recognized as one of America's Most JUST Companies. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to approximately 4.4 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,900 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.
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