RI and CT’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm marks major milestone in offshore construction

Revolution Wind has successfully completed installation of the project’s first offshore wind turbine, an historic milestone for Rhode Island and Connecticut's first large-scale offshore wind farm and the first multi-state offshore wind farm in the nation.

A centerpiece of the region’s blue economy, Ørsted and Eversource’s Revolution Wind is directly creating roughly 1,200 jobs across Rhode Island and Connecticut and accelerating the states’ clean energy sectors with significant investments in workforce development, union partnerships, shipbuilding, and port infrastructure.

Revolution Wind will utilize 65 Siemens Gamesa turbines, the same 11-megawatt turbine model used at the recently completed South Fork Wind. Once in operation, Revolution Wind will have the capacity to generate 400 megawatts of clean, affordable offshore wind power for Rhode Island and 304 megawatts of the same for Connecticut, enough to power more than 350,000 homes and bring both states closer to reaching their climate targets.

“This is a monumental moment for Revolution Wind, the Northeast region, and Rhode Island," said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. "The installation of the first turbine speaks to the strong private and public partnership driving the project forward. Rhode Island is excited to build upon this progress and lead in clean energy and the offshore wind economy for decades to come."

“Revolution Wind is going to have a major impact in the Northeast when it comes to delivering clean energy,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “The completion of this first turbine represents a milestone as we work towards decarbonizing our electric grid while also creating new, good-paying jobs in this growing sector for Connecticut residents.”

“Seeing the first turbine rise above the water at Revolution Wind is another unforgettable moment for this new American energy industry we’re building together,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted. “Revolution Wind is bringing local union jobs and economic development to Rhode Island and Connecticut, and it will deliver clean offshore wind power to hundreds of thousands of homes in the region. We thank our state and federal partners, our hard-working construction, marine and safety teams, and our local labor, port, and supply chain partners, as we continue building this historic project.”

"Today we celebrate a major offshore wind milestone with the installation of the first turbine for Revolution Wind, and it is a milestone made possible by the hundreds of hardworking tradesmen and women at our region's ports," said Joe Nolan, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Eversource Energy. "From building and marshaling the turbine foundations to constructing the onshore transmission system, the work happening at State Pier, ProvPort and Quonset is making this first-of-its-kind, multi-state offshore wind project a reality. We look forward to continuing our progress and, for the first time, bringing commercial-scale, 100% renewable offshore wind energy to Rhode Island and Connecticut."

Revolution Wind’s offshore construction phase is powered by hundreds of union workers, three Northeast ports, and a variety of vessels – all supporting work to install the wind farm’s foundations, two offshore substations, inter-array and export cables, and wind turbines. All the work is done according to Revolution Wind’s local, state and federal approvals and with the strictest safety standards.

Meanwhile, offshore construction crews continue to make steady progress installing the foundations for the turbines, with more than three-quarters of the foundations now in place offshore.

“Rhode Island has been the proud home of many firsts for the growing offshore wind industry, and we’re excited to celebrate another major clean energy milestone today,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “Revolution Wind will help protect the Ocean State by powering its clean energy future and will support more good union jobs in a growing industry.”

“Offshore wind is one step closer to becoming a reality for Connecticut residents with this momentous milestone,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. “I am thrilled to see this project is not only going to bring clean energy to our state, but is already delivering good paying jobs — including union jobs — for our talented workforce. As we continue to confront the climate crisis, I will keep fighting for federal funding to make our energy infrastructure and communities more resilient.”

“Offshore wind can help lower electric bills for Rhode Islanders while putting hundreds of tradesmen and women to work,” said U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner. “With the completion of Revolution Wind’s first turbine, we are one step closer to bringing affordable, clean energy to power thousands of homes in our state.”

“Successful deployment of offshore wind energy is a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s blue economy,” said U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. “By completing the installation of this first offshore wind turbine, we cross another major milestone and get closer to delivering affordable clean energy to thousands of Rhode Islanders. I am proud of the work we have done in our Ocean State to bolster the offshore wind industry that supports good-paying union jobs.”

“Thanks to the concerted efforts of hundreds of local union building trades workers, Revolution Wind has hit yet another major milestone and is well on its way to powering more than 350,000 homes across Connecticut and Rhode Island with cleaner energy,” said U.S. Representative Joe Courtney.

Three New England ports are playing central roles in the effort to build Revolution Wind:

State Pier in New London, Connecticut, is serving as the staging and marshaling port for the project, where the turbines are being assembled by local union labor. Ørsted and Eversource have invested more than $100 million in the State Pier redevelopment project.

In Providence, crews are handling loadout of the advanced foundation components, which were built by more than 125 local union workers at Ørsted and Eversource’s construction hub at ProvPort. Ørsted and Eversource invested $100 million in the work at their ProvPort hub, making it the largest offshore wind supply chain investment in Rhode Island’s history.

The ECO EDISON, the first-ever American-built, owned, and crewed offshore wind service operations vessel, is based out of ProvPort during Revolution Wind’s construction.

Revolution Wind’s crew helicopters and Rhode Island-built crew transfer vessels are based out of that state’s Quonset Point.

Onshore construction continues in North Kingstown, R.I., on the project’s transmission system.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our state’s commitment towards a more sustainable future for all Rhode Islanders,” said Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “Our progress on the Revolution Wind project not only highlights the dedication of partners, stakeholders, and skilled workers – but also what can be accomplished through collaboration.”

"This is the most important milestone in the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a sustainable source of renewable energy for Connecticut and Rhode Island," said State of Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie. "This is the first of many turbine installations as we continue to leverage Connecticut's assets and build an offshore wind hub in New England."

"This is a significant milestone in our multiyear effort with Rhode Island’s second offshore wind project," said Chris Kearns, Acting Commissioner of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources. "The Revolution Wind project plays a crucial role in advancing the state’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2033 and meeting our Act on Climate emission reduction objectives."

“This is another exciting milestone reached for the Revolution Wind project, which is bringing clean power and jobs to our state,” said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes. “The installation of the first turbine brings us another step closer to bringing this project online and providing 304 megawatts of clean, affordable, reliable electricity to Connecticut residents and powering more than 350,000 homes across Connecticut and Rhode Island.”

"New London State Pier has cemented itself as one of the premier wind turbine marshaling hubs in the country, and we are proud to be playing a significant role in the construction of Connecticut's first offshore wind farm and the first multi-state project in the country," said Connecticut Port Authority Executive Director Ulysses Hammond. "Revolution Wind is supporting local job creation on the ground at State Pier while bolstering the local economy and helping our state combat climate change and achieve a carbon-free future – a win-win for everyone."

“We congratulate Orsted and Eversource on the installation of Revolution Wind’s first turbine,” said Chris Waterson, president and CEO of Waterson Terminal Services. “This is a major project milestone and a major accomplishment for the State of Rhode Island. We are proud of our role providing critical port infrastructure and stevedoring services. We also recognize the integral role of the members of the International Longshoremen's Association who helped make this clean energy project a reality.”

"It's exciting to see Revolution Wind reach this key construction milestone, and it is a testament to the hardworking Rhode Islanders who are literally building the foundations of our clean energy future," said Michael Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer of the Laborers International Union of North America and President of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council. "Together, we're building more than a wind farm – we're building an entire industry here in Rhode Island that's sustainable, inclusive, and powered by local labor. This is an historic project, and I look forward to seeing its continued progress in the weeks and months ahead."

"Connecticut's early investments and foresight have positioned it as a critical hub in the U.S. offshore wind market," said Kristin Urbach, Executive Director of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative. "The installation of the first turbine for Revolution Wind marks a significant milestone, strengthening the state's leadership in this burgeoning American energy industry. This project not only promises economic development and job creation but also fosters innovative partnerships with local universities and organizations. We look forward to collaborating with our local partners to deliver a project that will be strategic for both the state and the New England region."

The Revolution Wind project site, roughly 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 32 miles southeast of the Connecticut coast, is adjacent to Ørsted and Eversource’s South Fork Wind, America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. Ørsted recently marked the groundbreaking for another neighboring project, Sunrise Wind.