Deepwater Wind has received the final federal approval required to advance its proposed Block Island Wind Farm, which would be the nation’s first offshore wind project.

On September 5, 2014, Deepwater Wind announced that its proposed Block Island Wind Farm has received final federal permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project’s lead federal permitting agency.  With the final permit, the project has completed the necessary reviews by state and federal agencies including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Marine Fisheries Service.

Block Island Wind Farm Location (dwwind)

The proposed Block Island Wind Farm is a five-turbine, 30 MW offshore wind farm located entirely in Rhode Island state waters, approximately three miles southeast of Block Island.  It is expected to generate more than 125,000 MW-hours annually, enough to power more than 17,000 homes.  It will be connected to the mainland electric grid via the 21-mile, bi-directional Block Island Transmission System, proposed to make landfall in Narragansett, Rhode Island.  Deepwater Wind has selected Denmark-based Alstom to supply Block Island Wind Farm’s turbines and provide long-term maintenance and services.

Deepwater Wind’s application for right-of-way in federal waters for the Block Island Transmission System and cable route associated with the proposed wind farm is currently under review by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and is expected to be approved in the coming weeks.  With preliminary construction phases underway, Deepwater Wind plans to begin offshore construction next summer and put the wind farm in service in 2016.

Like what you’re reading? Click below for a free trial of EnerKnol Research!