Mobro Marine vessel Big Max has completed installation of a 20-mile submarine cable for Deepwater Wind’s 30MW Block Island offshore wind farm in Rhode Island state waters.
“This significant milestone in developing renewable offshore wind-generated energy is the result of years of work by hundreds of people,” said Rudy Wynter, president and chief operating officer of National Grid’s FERC regulated businesses.
National Grid expects to connect the cable to a new substation on the island this week. Work continues on the mainland interconnection facilities.
Cable splicing, overhead line and substation construction will continue over the summer months, said National Grid. Substation testing and commissioning is scheduled to begin after Labor Day.
An export cable from Block Island to the first turbine is already complete. Deepwater plans to begin array cabling this month.
The two-way transmission cable will link Block Island to the regional electricity grid for the first time. Until now, the island’s electric power needs were met through diesel-powered generation.
Once the system is energized, National Grid will purchase the output from the wind farm through an agreement approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.
Towers and blades for five GE 6MW Haliade 150 turbines have been delivered to the Port of Providence.
Turbine installation is due to start in August and Deepwater anticipates commissioning the project in late 2016.
Image: National Grid
