Orsted and Eversource have taken a final investment decision on the 130MW South Fork offshore wind farm off the coast of New York State.
The final investment decision codifies the companies’ commitment to the project, they said.
The announcement comes as US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, other leaders, supporters and members of the project team celebrate the wind farm at a groundbreaking ceremony in East Hampton, New York today.
Orsted chief commercial officer Martin Neubert said: “I’m very pleased we’re able to approve our first final investment decision on a US offshore wind project and be at the forefront to contribute to New York’s ambitious offshore wind goals.
“The US represents an important growth market for us, and with seven already-awarded US projects accounting for approximately 5GW of clean offshore wind energy, Orsted is leading the growth of a new sustainable industry that will create jobs and economic development along the East Coast and across the US.”
Orsted Offshore North America chief executive David Hardy (pictured at lectern) said: “With this final investment decision, South Fork Wind demonstrates our commitment to creating clean energy, union jobs and local economic impact for Long Island, New York State, and states across the country.
“While this project has the recognition as New York’s first wind farm, it is also one of the first of many in a promising future for offshore wind in the US.
“I am grateful to the Biden administration, Secretary Haaland and Governor Hochul for their leadership and commitment to offshore wind as a source of clean power, to Eversource as our joint venture partner in South Fork Wind, and for the hard work and support of the many stakeholders who helped get us through the rigorous planning and permitting process.”
Eversource president and chief executive Joe Nolan said: “With the joint final investment decision now in place, we have formally codified our commitment to New York’s first-ever offshore wind farm.
“In less than two short years, South Fork Wind will provide enough clean energy to power more than 70,000 homes – helping New York reach its nation-leading clean energy goals and delivering good-paying local jobs to the state and region.
“We couldn’t be prouder that all the many years of careful planning and hard work by so many have now come to fruition.”
The wind farm, which will feature 12 Siemens Gamesa 11MW turbines, is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.