The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has approved the construction and operations plan (COP) for Orsted and Eversource’s 132MW South Fork offshore wind farm off the coast of New York state.
The COP’s approval is the final decision needed from BOEM to move the project toward the start of construction.
The plan outlines the project’s one nautical mile turbine spacing, the requirements on the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal ocean waters, and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species.
BOEM’s final approval follows its November 2021 issuance of its Record of Decision, which concluded an environmental review of the project.
The project will begin operations at the end of 2023.
Orsted Offshore North America chief executive David Hardy said: “We’re excited to reach this critical point and receive BOEM’s final approval of our construction and operations plan.
“As New York’s first offshore wind farm, South Fork Wind is already contributing to a new statewide and US manufacturing era and maritime industry, including good-paying union jobs through our labour partnerships and vision for the industry.”
Business Network for Offshore Wind vice president of supply chain development Ross Gould said: “Today’s federal approval of South Fork – the second US offshore wind project – further solidifies the US as a major market and will boost needed supply chain investments.
“This localisation of a supply chain is critical and must be better supported by policymakers to ensure projects move forward consistently and economic benefits are captured domestically.”
Orsted and Eversource are now entering the construction phase for South Fork, ensuring local union labour’s participation in all phases of construction on the project.
The partners recently announced the selection of US fabricator Kiewit Offshore Services to design and build the substation for the project.
The 1500-tonne substation will be built at Kiewit’s facility in Ingleside, Texas, near Corpus Christi.
Long Island-based contractor Haugland Energy was recently selected to install the duct bank system for the project’s underground onshore transmission line and lead the construction of the onshore interconnection facility located in East Hampton, New York.
Offshore installation of the project’s monopile foundations and 11MW Siemens-Gamesa wind turbines is expected to begin in summer 2023.