Governor McKee and federal officials celebrate progress on Revolution Wind and welcome the American-made Offshore Operations Vessel Wind Service

Revolution Wind is celebrating the completion of the project’s advanced foundation components, marking the latest milestone for the first large offshore wind farm in Rhode Island and Connecticut and the first multi-state offshore wind farm in the nation.

Governor Dan McKee, Director of the U.S. Office of Ocean Energy Management at the Department of the Interior Elizabeth Klein, Director of the U.S. Office of Environmental Safety and Enforcement Kevin M. Sligh, Sr., and other federal, state and local officials and community members joined Ørsted and Eversource today to highlight significant progress in the construction of the Revolution Wind offshore platform.

Rhode Island also welcomes the arrival this week of Rhode Island’s first-of-its-kind American-built offshore wind service vessel, ECO EDISON.

A centerpiece of the region’s blue economy, Ørsted and Revolution Wind directly create approximately 1,200 jobs in Rhode Island and Connecticut and accelerate the state’s clean energy sectors through significant investments in workforce development, union partnerships, shipbuilding and port infrastructure.

More than 125 local Rhode Island union workers recently completed the installation of advanced Revolution Wind foundation components at Ørsted and the Eversource construction center in ProvPort. Ørsted and Eversource have invested $100 million in work at their ProvPort node, making it the largest investment in the offshore wind supply chain in Rhode Island history.

“Revolution Wind is a victory for the environment and our Rhode Island economy,” he said Governor Dan McKee. “We are excited about progress on this project, which supports good-paying jobs and propels our state toward a stronger blue economy and a more sustainable future.”

“I am delighted to participate in today’s event, which highlights the tremendous progress the Biden-Harris Administration has made with our state and industry partners toward achieving our goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.” – he said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “Today marks another step forward in delivering clean energy jobs and investing in coastal communities, while strengthening America’s energy security.”

Once operational, Revolution Wind will be able to generate 400 megawatts of clean, low-cost offshore wind energy for Rhode Island and 304 megawatts of the same capacity for Connecticut, enough to power more than 350,000 homes in both states and bring each of them closer to achieving their ambitious climate goals .

Since reaching historic steel-in-water status just a month ago, Revolution Wind construction crews have made steady progress installing the project’s offshore turbine foundations. Advanced foundation components fabricated at ProvPort, including platforms, railings, steel ladders and other key parts, are currently being loaded for installation at the offshore project site.

Meanwhile, the Ocean State welcomed back this week ECO EDISON, which will be based on ProvPort during the construction of Revolution Wind. An example of Ørsted’s $20 billion investment in building America’s clean energy industry: this first-ever American-built, owned and crewed offshore wind vessel will serve as a floating, year-round base for offshore wind turbine technicians. These technicians – including Rhode Island residents – will work offshore throughout the life of the wind farms, servicing and maintaining the wind turbines. The vessel will be an integral part of the operation and maintenance of the Ørsted and Eversource Northeast projects, using the Quonset Ports in Rhode Island and Port Jefferson, New York.

“Rhode Island is the birthplace of America’s offshore wind industry, and the state continues to realize the true potential of offshore wind to transform its ports, workforce and economy,” he said David Hardy, group vice president and general manager for the Americas at Ørsted. “Thanks to our local unions, supply chain partners and our talented construction team, we are building and delivering Revolution Wind. And it’s good that the Ocean State will host our state-of-the-art American service ship, ECO EDISONas we build this historic project for New England.”

“Our commitment to cooperation with local trade unionists is visible not only in the completion of foundation works at ProvPort, but also in the work on the onshore transmission system,” he said Bill Quinlan, president of transmission and offshore wind projects at Eversource Energy. “We are proud to provide Rhode Islanders with good-paying union jobs while pursuing a project so important to the state’s energy future.”

“Today marks another milestone in building America’s clean marine energy resources,” he said BSEE Director Kevin Sligh. “BSEE is committed to strengthening worker safety and environmental protection as we strive to achieve our clean energy goals through marine renewable energy. This project is a great example of how we can achieve these milestones using American resources and American workers.”

Revolution Wind’s offshore construction phase employs hundreds of union workers, three Northeastern ports, and a variety of vessels – all helping to install the wind farm’s foundations, two offshore substations, interconnection and export cables, and wind turbines. All work is performed in accordance with Revolution Wind’s local, state and federal permits.

“The construction of the second offshore wind farm in our country is testimony to the strength of regional cooperation,” he said Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce Liz Tanner. “This project not only leverages Rhode Island’s natural resources, but also continues to drive momentum in the blue economy by creating good-paying jobs and supporting sustainable development.”

“Rhode Island’s commitment to the Climate Act and achieving a 100% renewable energy standard by 2033 will be met through projects like Revolution Wind,” he said Acting State Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns. “These multi-year offshore wind project efforts play a major role in the state’s efforts to reduce emissions and advance the state’s clean energy economy. The Revolution Wind project will provide stable, affordable and reliable clean energy and diversify our energy portfolio for the state while creating hundreds of good-paying clean energy jobs for Rhode Islanders.”

“We are extremely proud of ProvPort and Waterson Terminal Services’ role as one of the busiest offshore wind hubs in the country and – thanks to projects like Revolution Wind – we are confident that we have only just begun to realize the economic benefits and job-creating potential of this industry.” – he said Chris Waterson, CEO of Waterson Terminal Services. “Our team and highly skilled workforce in Rhode Island are ready to continue working to shape the state and nation’s future for sustainable renewable energy.”

“Years from now, when we think about how the United States built its offshore wind industry, the Revolution Wind project and the hundreds of Rhode Island union workers who made it a reality will be a central part of that story,” he said Michael F. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of North American Workers and Chairman of the Rhode Island Construction Trades Council. “I am a strong supporter of this project and this industry for a simple reason that has been proven time and time again: clean energy creates good jobs. We look forward to continuing this important work as the offshore wind sector grows both here in Rhode Island and across the country.”

“Riggs Distler, an A Centuri company, is proud to be part of such a significant project, creating direct jobs, supporting local suppliers and contributing to the state’s sustainability goals,” he said Stephen M. Zemaitatis Jr., president and CEO of Riggs Distler. “With the 65 sites we have built onshore at ProvPort ready for installation, we are adding momentum to the Rhode Island market and the entire East Coast wind belt. By ensuring the serial construction of advanced foundation components, we are building the foundations for both wind turbines and shaping the future of American renewable energy.

During the offshore construction period, construction and transport barges, cable-laying vessels, tugboats, supply and support vessels, and protected species monitoring vessels will be active in the marine area. The operation involves ship operators, engineers, welders, scientists and dozens of other people. Meanwhile, onshore work on the project’s transmission system continues in North Kingstown, RI.

The Revolution Wind project site, located approximately 25 miles south of the Rhode Island coast and 52 miles southeast of the Connecticut coast, is adjacent to Ørsted and Eversource’s South Fork Wind, America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. Revolution Wind is expected to be operational in 2025.