1st Offshore Wind Turbine Installed Off Coast Of Montauk

MONTAUK, NY — A new day dawned this week, representing a milestone in the quest for renewable energy, as the first offshore wind turbine for South Fork Wind was installed off the coast of Montauk.

The project is the first completed utility-scale wind farm in the United States in federal water and, once completed, the 130-megawatt offshore wind farm will address a growing reliability challenge for Long Island’s electrical grid, Hochul said.

In addition, it will also generate enough renewable energy to power about 70,000 Long Island homes, eliminating up to 6 million tons of carbon emissions, or the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road annually over a 25-year period, she added.

Hochul's announcement Monday, she said, supports progress towards the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to install nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

"New York is paving the way towards a clean energy future, and the installation of our first offshore wind turbine marks a momentous step forward," Hochul said. "We are not only generating clean energy, but also pioneering a healthy and safe environment for future generations of New Yorkers. We are shaping a brighter, greener tomorrow, committed to a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand."

The first of South Fork Wind’s 12 Siemens Gamesa wind turbine generators was hoisted into place by the offshore construction team at the project site 35 miles off Montauk, Hochul said.

Hundreds of U.S. workers and three Northeast ports have supported South Fork Wind’s construction, helping to create the foundations of a new domestic supply chain that’s creating local union jobs across the Northeast, Hochul added.

All 12 turbines are expected to be installed by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

Long Island Power Authority Chief Executive Officer Thomas Falcone lauded the accomplishment: "Today marks a significant step in New York’s clean energy journey and implementing Governor Hochul's vision of a sustainable and resilient future for New Yorkers. The installation of New York's first offshore wind turbine represents concrete action transforming the Climate Act's target of 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035 into reality, and LIPA is proud to be supporting this project on behalf of our 1.2 million customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways."

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris added: "Days like today provide striking context for the work we do to advance the offshore wind industry in New York. We congratulate our partners at Ørsted, Eversource, and LIPA as this first turbine at South Fork Wind represents a momentous milestone in our efforts to bring the benefits of clean, renewable offshore wind energy to New York."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said the day marked a tremendous milestone after a years-long effort to advance clean, renewable offshore wind energy. "This project will help New York State achieve its ambitious goals to reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs and bolstering local economies, strengthening the reliability of Long Island’s energy grid, and helping ensure New Yorkers have access to cleaner sources of power," he said.

South Fork Wind is a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource.

Ørsted Group EVP and CEO Americas David Hardy reflected on the momentous day: "South Fork Wind’s first turbine is a testament to American ingenuity and innovation. As we mark this incredible milestone, we’re grateful for the hard work of our dedicated team and all our suppliers and contractors, as well as for the support of the Biden-Harris administration, the Hochul administration, LIPA, and the East Hampton community for championing this trailblazing project."

Eversource Energy President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Joe Nolan added: "Today, South Fork Wind is making history. With the first turbine up, New York will soon start receiving clean, renewable energy powered by offshore wind. South Fork Wind is setting the stage for the many benefits that offshore wind will provide and puts the town of East Hampton at the forefront of the region’s efforts to create a more modernized and reliable grid, which will help us fight against the devastating impacts of climate change.'

First approved by the LIPA board of trustees in 2017, South Fork Wind began construction in February, 2022, starting with the onshore export cable system that links the project to the local energy grid, which was completed early this year. In June, the project’s first monopile foundation was installed.

According to Hochul, Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel, the Aeolus, is installing the turbines. Turbine installation involves using a crane to place the steel turbine tower onto the foundation. The nacelle and rotor are then installed on top of the tower. Lastly, the blades are lifted and installed, one by one, by bolting them to the rotor, Hochul said.

Once in operation, South Fork Wind will be supported by U.S.-built crew transfer vessels and eventually by America’s first offshore wind service operations vessel, she said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said the installation of South Fork Wind's first wind turbine was a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. "Alongside the wind developers, New York State and local stakeholders, we are demonstrating our collective resolve to combat climate change and protect our natural resources for generations to come," he said.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said he was pleased to see that South Fork Wind had reached another important step toward providing thousands of homes on the South Fork with clean, renewable, wind-generated energy. "We are proud of the part East Hampton has played in bringing this project forward," he added.

"Every journey starts with the first step," said Citizens Campaign for the Environment Executive Director Adrienne Esposito. "In New York, the journey to a renewable future starts with our first offshore wind turbine. We can now see New York's transition to clean energy and its investment to large scale offshore wind. This first turbine in the water is a symbol of a new, cleaner, renewable era. An era that embraces healthy communities, local jobs, and cleaner air. Kudus to Orsted and Governor Hochul for their leadership and commitment to offshore wind."

Earlier in November, Hochul announced the largest state investment in renewable energy in United States history.

The conditional awards included three offshore wind and 22 land-based renewable energy projects totaling 6.4 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power 2.6 million New York homes and deliver approximately 12 percent of New York’s electricity needs once completed, she said. When coupled with two marquee offshore wind blade and nacelle manufacturing facilities, the portfolio of newly announced projects is expected to create approximately 8,300 family-sustaining jobs and spur $20 billion in economic development investments statewide, including developer-committed investments to support disadvantaged communities, Hochul said.

Not everyone has been thrilled with the project: "Over the years, some concerns were raised by environmentalists. Also, local fishermen had questions about the possible effects on their catch, the future of cod fishing — and also, if the project would be visible from the shore, which Hochul assured it would not be.