The 132-MW South Fork offshore wind park, situated off the coast of Long Island, New York, has commenced the injection of electricity into the state's power grid, as per an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul's press office on Wednesday.
Electricity production marks the initiation of operations for a Siemens Gamesa turbine within the 12-turbine complex, strategically located 35 miles east of Montauk Point and 19 miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. Currently, two turbines are in place, with the entire site expected to achieve full operational status by early 2024. This development aligns with New York's ambitious objective to derive 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to integrate 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035.
A collaborative effort between New England utility Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES) and Denmark's Ørsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED), the joint venture envisions the complex generating sufficient electricity to meet the demands of 70,000 Long Island homes while concurrently offsetting up to six million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.
Governor Hochul emphasized, “South Fork Wind will power thousands of homes, create good-paying union jobs, and demonstrate to all that offshore wind is a viable resource New York can harness for generations to come.”
The selection of South Fork dates back to 2015, with the aim of supplying electricity to the Long Island Power Authority and PSEG Long Island. Commencing construction in February 2022, the project witnessed the installation of its inaugural turbine last month, marking a significant milestone in advancing the region's renewable energy objectives.
