Alstom has received formal notice to proceed with construction of the 30-megawatt Block Island wind farm, which will be the first offshore wind project in the US.
Alstom will supply, install and commission the five sets of its 6-MW turbines for the project and provide 15 years of operations and maintenance support. The turbines, capable of producing approximately 125,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, will provide about 90% of Block Island’s power needs.
Deepwater Wind Block Island, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deepwater Wind, recently fully financed the Block Island Wind Farm, reaching financial close.
Wind turbine, foundation and electrical interface engineering is advancing on schedule to meet Deepwater Wind’s project specifications, including installation of the five foundations during summer 2015, Alstm said. Located about three miles off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island, the Block Island Wind Farm is scheduled for commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2016.