REVOLUTION WIND: Radical Revolution Ramping up off Rhode Island

The tumultuous and turbulent offshore wind energy market in the U.S. continues, despite the recent election results. In California, floating offshore wind is on the cusp of a boom. Off the East Coast, major wind farms are in planning and construction stages. The industry has immense opportunity. There is significant job creation, investment opportunity, and energy security potential. Onshore wind is already a proven, reliable contributor to the US energy mix.

Around New England in the US Northeast – made up of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont – where the sea is shallow and the wind blows strongly and steadily, the offshore wind market is already taking off.

The first real offshore wind power came from Block Island Wind Farm in 2016, a five-turbine installation off Rhode Island, where the community replaced diesel generators with wind turbines to power 17,000 homes while exporting extra capacity to the mainland. Earlier this year, the 132 MW South Fork wind farm was completed – the first significant offshore project, providing green power to New York from 12 Siemens Gamesa turbines spread across a 13,700-acre site. Also producing power is the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot Project in Virginia. Since 2020, this two-turbine test site has successfully demonstrated capability off the coast of Cape Henry.

These projects are all quite different, but they do have one major parallel – Ørsted. This global clean energy major is a premier producer of offshore wind power with an impressive portfolio of projects around the world. In 2024, the company built more offshore capacity than ever before, and it has big plans for the US market. Ørsted has a significant footprint and is committed to the provision of a new American industry with 15 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030.

One of the first projects to help achieve this vision will be Revolution Wind. Located 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, in shallow North Atlantic waters, this 704 MW project will supply enough green power for 350,000 homes when completed and commissioned in 2026.

“As the offshore wind industry continues to grow in the U.S., we have been buoyed by the broad support,” says Ørsted’s Project Development Director, Kellen Ingalls. “Offshore wind is a win-win for our environment and our economy, and projects like Revolution Wind are demonstrating the transformational potential of this industry for businesses and families nationwide.”

Revolution Wind is an Ørsted project in collaboration with Global Infrastructure Partners’ Skyborn Renewables. Both organisations are excited about the future of clean energy in the country. Confusing and conflicting political messages about the long-term focus for energy policy have cast doubt over the future for offshore wind and other renewables in the USA, but those working in the sector remain positive.

“We are at a critical juncture for the future of American clean energy, and we’re proud to be leading the country into this next phase,” says Ingalls. “From the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm with South Fork Wind, to the nation’s largest offshore wind farm with Sunrise Wind, to the nation’s first multi-state offshore wind farm with Revolution Wind, our projects are demonstrating what’s possible and laying the foundation for the continued growth of this industry in the years and decades to come.”

OFFICIAL EXCITEMENT

In November 2023, Revolution Wind was officially granted approval for its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). In May 2024, the first major offshore milestone was achieved with the first turbine foundation planted, known as “steel in the water”. Government officials lined up to congratulate the offshore team.

“Harnessing one of our state’s most abundant natural resources will be a game-changer for our clean energy future and increasing good-paying jobs in this key economic sector,” said Rhode Island Governor, Dan McKee.

Connecticut Governor, Ned Lamont, was equally proud: “Offshore wind is a key player in Connecticut’s clean energy transition and future, as we work towards achieving a zero-carbon electric grid while delivering local investment and jobs at the same time. Now, with Revolution Wind gearing up, we will see even more local jobs on the ground at State Pier and soon have more clean energy powering our state’s homes and businesses.”

Senator Jack Reed highlighted employment opportunities that come with major projects as a real boon for the local region, sentiment echoed by U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner. “Clean energy infrastructure projects like this bring good-paying jobs and environmental benefits and will help to reduce long-term energy costs for Rhode Islanders,” said Reed.

“Workers at ProvPort and Quonset played a significant role in getting Revolution Wind to this major milestone, and the next construction phase will bring more well-paying Blue Economy jobs to Rhode Island,” added Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

“Getting this foundation in the water is a huge milestone in our yearslong effort to make offshore wind a reality in Connecticut,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.

U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo Joe Courtney, and Senator Richard Blumenthal, also backed the project, emphasizing job creation and energy security as tangible benefits to the local and national economy.

“By installing this first turbine foundation in the water, we are getting closer to delivering more affordable clean energy to Rhode Islanders, as well as good-paying jobs to our Ocean State,” said Amo.

“As we confront the climate crisis, the need for clean energy has never been more urgent,” added Blumenthal.

Steel in the water marked the start of a dynamic offshore construction period for Ørsted and its partners. Hundreds of union workers are active across onshore and offshore sites, working from three Northeast ports and vessels, including the first-ever American-built, owned, and crewed offshore wind service operations vessel, the ECO EDISON, built by more than 600 workers at shipyards in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida, and with components sourced from 34 states.

ACTIVE ON SITE

“It’s exciting,” says Ingalls of the atmosphere. He explains that components are being constructed, assembled, and marshalled across multiple sites in the two states, as many foundations, two offshore substations, inter-array and export cables, and wind turbines are installed.

“This project is catapulting New England into a new era in offshore wind and providing a boost to local businesses and workers, and there is a palpable enthusiasm on site and in these communities as it moves forward,” he says.

With so much planning and building of partnerships required in the run up to major projects, to see action on site is very helpful to keep teams on track. Seeing material progress is extremely important and Ingalls says that seeing cross-sector collaboration come together in reality drives further excitement.

In September 2024, the first turbine was placed atop the foundation in another milestone for the project and industry. Standing 873 feet in total, these towering behemoths will soon take up significant area alongside the South Fork site. Eventually, 65 Siemens Gamesa turbines will turn continuously, generating 400 MW for Rhode Island and 304 MW for Connecticut – all from the seaborne winds.

Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner said: “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.”

Through September, October, and November, contractors have continued work onshore, particularly conduit installation work and backfilling, and electrical work at the interconnection facility in Rhode Island. 

Revolution Wind will create 1200 jobs directly. For many, this is the major highlight for having an offshore windfarm in their marine landscape.

WORKING FOR GREATER GOOD

Revolution Wind will be a beacon of hope for the green energy rollout in the USA. Like South Fork before it and Sunrise Wind to come (which broke ground in July 2024), if the true potential of wind can be demonstrated in New England, more and more projects will gain attention of investors and officials. Onshore and offshore wind already contributes around 151 GW to the grid, powering the equivalent of 46 million America homes – the fourth largest source of electricity generation capacity.

In 2023, the use of wind energy helped avoid 348 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions. There should be no doubt about the industry’s positives. For Ingalls, motivating others to investigate and invest in wind is critical.

“Early projects like Revolution Wind help to mature the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, laying the groundwork for successful projects to come,” he says. “Revolution Wind is the first offshore wind project to supply clean energy to multiple states, and we are already seeing additional efforts to build regional clean energy infrastructure, including the recent joint procurement effort in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. We hope this project inspires many others like it as the industry continues to grow.”

Currently, the industry employs around 125,000 people in all 50 states, with $10 billion invested in new projects in 2023 alone. The job creation and economic development opportunities are very clear and have been promoted by government.

Ørsted projects around the world have proven successful, including the Hornsea 2 project in the UK North Sea – currently the world’s largest offshore windfarm – soon to be overtaken by Hornsea 3 which will create 5000 jobs during construction and 1200 permanent jobs across the operational life of the project.

“Offshore wind offers good-paying, long-term job opportunities in a growing field, and we are supporting educational and job training initiatives at all levels to build a pipeline of talented workers for decades to come,” details Ingalls. “From students getting hands-on offshore wind learning experiences through North Kingstown’s WindWinRI program and Groton’s Project Oceanology program, to the increasing opportunities for blue economy jobs at the growing offshore wind cluster at the Cambridge Innovation Center in Providence, to new skills and certification programs in partnership with the Building Trades, Rhode Island Commerce, and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, to a first-of-its-kind Global Wind Organization (GWO) safety training program at the Community College of Rhode Island, Revolution Wind is providing local training and career pathways to people of all backgrounds.”

WIDER IMPACT

An offshore supply chain can be adapted from existing energy and maritime skills, and New England is home to both in abundance.

“America’s offshore wind industry was born in Rhode Island, and with Revolution Wind, we’re committed to ensuring this region remains a national blue economy hub,” says Ingalls adding that the project will see investment into port infrastructure, workforce development, and local communities.

To date, without a single MW of power generated, a big impact has been felt. More than $100 million has been invested into the State Pier redevelopment project in the Port of New London, transforming the site into a state-of-the-art, heavy-lift marine terminal where Revolution Wind turbines are being staged and assembled. ProvPort is receiving investment, developing a regional offshore wind foundation component manufacturing facility. Local shipyards have been engaged to build five new crew transfer vessels (CTVs). At Quonset State Airport, $1.8 million has been allocated as part of a developing helicopter package where the first-ever U.S. offshore wind helicopter agreement for new crew helicopters has already been signed. Protection of sea life, and investment into maritime and ocean research, has been achieved through partnership with Mystic Aquarium and ThayerMahan. Many other initiatives are underway, representing a significant spend in the Rhode Island and Connecticut area, advancing industries and providing opportunities for people.

FORWARD THINKING

In August, it was announced that commissioning of Revolution Wind would be pushed back to 2026, with Ørsted citing a delay in construction of the onshore substation. However, the momentum from the South Fork project and the collaboration behind the scenes leave Ingalls with much to be excited about. 

“Rhode Island and Connecticut are filled with forward-thinking leaders committed to growing their states’ clean energy footprints, and our partnerships with local and state leaders have been critical to making this project a reality,” he says. “We are grateful to Governors Lamont and McKee as well as all the members of Congress, state agency leaders, and local elected officials who have joined us to celebrate milestones and collaborated with us to build an inclusive and wide-reaching industry across the region.” 

Longer-term, renewable energy projects will be key in developing true energy security, both in the U.S. and other global geographies. Homegrown projects allow countries like the UK, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Norway, Uruguay, Morocco, and Kenya to be energy independent, while remaining home to an energy mix that supports jobs and skills across various industry sub-sectors.

Ørsted says that nine out of ten people now live in countries that are net importers of fossil fuels, leaving them exposed to price fluctuations and supply challenges. But 99 out of 100 live in countries with enormous potential for green energy rollout. This industry is vital for the now and for the future. Ørsted wants to contribute to a world that runs entirely on green energy, and to do so the USA will need to be a part of the change. Revolution Wind is just the start.