Orsted and Eversource have announced that the first American-built offshore wind substation will be deployed at the developers’ 132MW South Fork Wind project by Kiewit Offshore Services.
Kiewit, the largest offshore fabricator in the US, will design and build the substation for South Fork Wind project – New York’s first offshore wind farm.
The 1,500- tonne, 60-foot-tall substation will be built at Kiewit’s facility in Ingleside, Texas, near Corpus Christi.
More than 350 workers across three states will support this South Fork Wind structure.
The fabrication workers in Ingleside will be supported by teams in Houston and Kansas.
In addition, hundreds of union workers in the Northeast will support the South Fork Wind project and additional initiatives in the region.
In selecting Kiewit, Orsted, along with Eversource, is the first US offshore wind developer to select an American contractor to fabricate a wind farm’s offshore substation.
Orsted Offshore North America chief executive David Hardy said: “We’re helping to build a new US manufacturing industry that will create thousands of good-paying jobs not just in the Northeast but in communities across the United States.
“We’re proud to partner with Kiewit to deliver the first American-made offshore wind substation.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to deliver for our long-term partners, combining international experience with local expertise in communities across the country.”
Eversource Energy chief executive and president Joe Nolan added: “Achieving our nation’s clean energy goals will be largely dependent on US-based companies like Kiewit, and we are excited to partner with them to deliver the first US-made offshore wind substation.
“Our partnership with Kiewit marks another significant milestone for the US offshore wind industry and signals the growth of the next great maritime industry throughout the country.
“We are committed to creating a clean energy future and fostering opportunities for all Americans.”
Offshore wind substations are critical components of utility-scale offshore wind farms.
Substations collect the power produced by wind turbines and connect the clean energy to the grid.
The offshore substation will consist of a topside resting on a monopile foundation.