The first turbines for Orsted and Eversource’s 132MW South Fork Wind have been shipped from the Port of New London, Connecticut, to the project’s offshore site, marking the start of its final construction phase.
The first of the 12 Siemens Gamesa machined – pre-assembled tower sections; a nacelle; and three blades each longer than a football field – was loaded onto a US-flagged transport barge pulled by two tugboats destined for the site 35 miles off Montauk, New York.
The first unit will be installed in the coming days.
“South Fork Wind is a trailblazing project for American clean energy,” said group executive vice president and chief executive Americas at Orsted David Hardy. “The upcoming installation of this first turbine has been nearly a decade in the making and will stand as a testament not just to our hardworking teams but also to all those who have long supported this historic project.
“We have busy weeks ahead, but we’re now closer to fulfilling the promise of clean energy for Long Island’s East End and the growth of a new industry for New York.”
Eversource Energy’s president, chief executive, and chairman Joe Nolan added: “From the first shovel in the ground to now witnessing the shipment of the first turbine to the project site, today marks an exciting moment for New York’s first offshore wind farm and the dedicated workers who contributed to this achievement.
“Soon, through our newly-built onshore substation, South Fork Wind will provide renewable energy to nearly 70,000 homes and move New York closer to achieving its clean energy objectives.”