Deepwater Wind has received the final federal approval needed to build its Block Island Wind Farm, a 30 MW offshore wind demonstration project located off the coast of Block Island, R.I. The company says it expects ‘steel in the water’ by summer 2015.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has become the last federal agency to grant its approval of the Block Island project, which Deepwater says has now been completely reviewed and approved by nine state and federal agencies.
"Today marks a pivotal moment, not just for Block Island, but also for the start of a new American industry we're proud to be leading from here in the Ocean State," says Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski. "We're gratified and emboldened by the thousands of Rhode Islanders and people around the world who have passionately supported our efforts since we embarked on this project more than six years ago. We're ready to build this project and to bring new jobs and clean energy to the region."
Earlier this year, Deepwater selected Alstom as its turbine supplier and long-term maintenance and service provider. The developer says it has begun the initial stages of project construction.
The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is reviewing Deepwater's application for a right-of-way in federal waters for the Block Island Transmission System, the transmission cable associated with wind farm. Deepwater anticipates receiving BOEM's approval in the coming weeks.
Offshore construction is expected to begin next summer, with the wind farm in-service in 2016.
