Ørsted has put in and powered up all 12 generators on the landmark South Fork venture, and the primary utility-scale U.S. offshore wind farm has began delivering energy to Long Island and the Rockaways, offshore New York.
The commissioning of the wind farm is in its ultimate stage, and when at full capability of 130 MW, it’s going to generate sufficient renewable power to energy roughly 70,000 houses.
The renewable power is generated roughly 35 miles off the coast of Montauk, and can remove as much as six million tons of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the venture, the equal of taking 60,000 automobiles off the street for the subsequent twenty years.
The South Fork Wind started building in February 2022, starting with the onshore export cable system that hyperlinks the venture to the Long Island electrical grid.
The wind farm reached its ‘steel in the water’ milestone in June 2023 with the set up of the venture’s first monopile basis, and its ultimate Siemens Gamesa-suppied turbine was put in in February 2024.
South Fork Wind consists of the primary U.S.-built offshore wind substation, delivered by greater than 350 U.S. staff throughout three states, with New York union staff supporting its set up offshore.
“From the first steel in the water to the final turbine, our hard-working offshore wind construction team has put South Fork Wind on the path to making American energy history. We’re incredibly proud of our dedicated project, permit and construction teams, and all those who have made this milestone possible.
“We’re thankful, too, for the tremendous leadership of the Biden and Hochul administrations, and for the steadfast support of the East Hampton community and beyond,” mentioned David Hardy, Ørsted Group EVP and CEO Americas.
“Every day, the Interior Department is answering President Biden’s call and moving rapidly to create a robust and sustainable clean energy economy that creates jobs, boosts local economies and helps address environmental justice.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the completion of the South Fork project, which will deliver 130 MW of wind energy to Long Island. That’s enough to power more than 70,000 homes and businesses! Today is further proof that America’s clean energy transition is not a dream for a distant future – it’s happening right here and now,” added Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
