First offshore wind turbine stands tall at US revolution wind project

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.

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said:

“This is a monumental moment for Revolution Wind, the Northeast region, and Rhode Island. 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."

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said:

“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.”

David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted, said:

“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.”

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.”

U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner said:

“Offshore wind can help lower electric bills for Rhode Islanders while putting hundreds of tradesmen and women to work. 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.”