In a significant stride toward the completion of the 132-megawatt (MW) South Fork Wind project, a joint venture between Orsted and Eversource, the first set of wind turbines has departed from the Port of New London, Connecticut, en route to the offshore installation site. This marks the initiation of the project's final construction phase.
The maiden shipment includes crucial components for the venture, such as the first of the 12 Siemens Gamesa pre-assembled tower sections, a nacelle, and three blades, each exceeding the length of a football field. Transported on a US-flagged barge and guided by two tugboats, the components are destined for the project site, situated 35 miles off the coast of Montauk, New York.
The forthcoming days will see the installation of the first turbine, underscoring the project's evolution over nearly a decade. David Hardy, Group Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Americas at Orsted, lauded the South Fork Wind project as a pioneering endeavor in American clean energy. He remarked, “The upcoming installation of this first turbine has been nearly a decade in the making and will stand as a testament not just to our hardworking teams but also to all those who have long supported this historic project.”
Joe Nolan, President, Chief Executive, and Chairman of Eversource Energy, also expressed enthusiasm about the milestone. He stated, “From the first shovel in the ground to now witnessing the shipment of the first turbine to the project site, today marks an exciting moment for New York's first offshore wind farm and the dedicated workers who contributed to this achievement.”
The South Fork Wind project is set to play a pivotal role in advancing clean energy for Long Island's East End and contribute to the growth of a new industry in New York. With the construction of an onshore substation, the project is on track to provide renewable energy to nearly 70,000 homes, further aligning with New York's clean energy objectives.
