This article is part of an Earth Month series exploring environmental issues, climate initiatives and community stakeholders throughout Providence and Rhode Island.
Last month, South Fork Wind Farm 鈥� located off the coast of Rhode Island 鈥� producing power, making Rhode Island home to the country鈥檚 first utility-scale wind farm.
The wind farm, which provides power to New York, is a joint venture between energy companies and . This project followed the construction of Rhode Island鈥檚 , which became operational in 2016 and was the first offshore wind farm in the United States. The Block Island project powers roughly 17,000 homes, while the new South Fork project could power up to around 70,000 homes and businesses.
脴谤蝉迟别诲 and Eversource are also collaborating to build Revolution Wind, a 704-megawatt offshore wind farm that will provide power to Rhode Island and Connecticut and is expected to become operational by 2025.
Revolution Wind will 鈥渃omplement existing energy sources to help ensure the area has enough power during peak hours,鈥� create 1,200 jobs and supply electricity to more than 350,00 homes in the states, according to the project鈥檚 .
In October 2023, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources announced a with Massachusetts and Connecticut to coordinate offshore wind developments in the region. The document marked 鈥渢he first nationwide agreement for offshore wind procurement collaboration among multiple states,鈥� spokesperson Robert Beadle wrote in an email to The Herald.
Community stakeholders have expressed concerns about the project鈥檚 development, The Herald previously reported. Some Rhode Island fishermen have stated they worry that the project will disrupt local ecosystems and navigation of waters.
Last month, the joint venture鈥檚 project, another wind farm, its Record of Decision 鈥� a critical milestone in the farm鈥檚 approval process 鈥� from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The project will also provide clean energy to New York State.
鈥淭ogether, South Fork Wind, Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind represent the start of a new era of American clean energy,鈥� a 脴谤蝉迟别诲 and Eversource joint venture spokesperson wrote in an email to The Herald. 鈥淟arge-scale offshore wind is a game-changer for our environment, our economy and the future of American energy, and we are proud to be building that infrastructure here in the Northeast.鈥�
As new offshore wind farms become operational, New England鈥檚 power grids will require adjustments to accommodate the new sources of clean energy.
In an email to The Herald, Spokesperson Mary Cate Colapietro explained the organization鈥檚 role in addressing any necessary changes for integrating offshore wind farms into the power grid. The non-profit organization oversees electricity markets and manages changes to the power-grid system over time.
鈥淎dditional power generators like offshore wind projects require robust transmission to deliver energy to where it is in high demand,鈥� Colapietro wrote. 鈥淚SO New England is working to adapt our system operations and energy markets so the grid stays reliable and prices remain competitive.鈥�
According to Colapietro, Rhode Islanders get their power from two interconnected energy grids.
鈥淥ne (power grid) is the small distribution system that delivers electricity to homes and businesses,鈥� Colapietro wrote. 鈥淭he larger regional power grid operated by ISO New England 鈥� transmits larger quantities of electricity from nearly 400 generating resources.鈥�
She noted that ISO New England, while operating the regional power grid, does not 鈥渙wn or maintain any grid infrastructure, enact or set policy or handle retail electricity.鈥�
The reports that Rhode Island remains reliant on natural gas as its main source of energy. The state currently aims to reach 100% renewable energy by 2033.
According to Colapietro, New England must 鈥渁dd almost twice as much new generation as it added in the last 25 years鈥� to reach these goals by 2033.
鈥淥ffshore wind is a key component to meeting states鈥� ambitious renewable energy targets and transitioning our country to a clean energy future,鈥� the spokesperson for the 脴谤蝉迟别诲 and Eversource joint venture wrote. 鈥淲e are encouraged by the overwhelming support for offshore wind we have seen across all sectors, and we look forward to continuing to build out this critical sector of our economy.鈥�
Sophia Wotman is a Senior Staff Writer covering the Affinity & Activism beat under University 国产偷拍. She is a sophomore from Long Island, New York studying Political Science and Music with an interest in women鈥檚 rights. She is a jazz trumpet player, and you鈥檒l often find her performing on campus and around Providence.
