State coastal regulators back yet another offshore wind farm near RI
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island coastal regulators have approved a vital certification for yet another major offshore wind farm that would go up in waters off the state’s coast.
The Coastal Resources Management Council on Tuesday unanimously found the 84-turbine Sunrise Wind project to be consistent with state coastal policies. The 924-megawatt wind farm, which would generate enough power for 600,000 homes, still requires other state permits and final approval from the federal government, but a favorable vote from the coastal council was necessary for the proposal to move forward.
Like the South Fork Wind Farm, which cleared the coastal council two years ago and is currently under construction, Sunrise Wind would be built off the Rhode Island coast – about 30 miles south of Newport – but would deliver all of its power to New York.
It is being developed by the same 50/50 joint venture between Danish offshore wind company Ørsted and utility Eversource that is behind the 132-megawatt South Fork project, as well as Revolution Wind, the 704-megawatt project that secured coastal council certification in May and just this week won a record of decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Sunrise would use the same 11-megawatt turbines that are being installed this summer at South Fork and, starting next year, Revolution.
While Sunrise would be built near the South Fork and Revolution project sites southeast of Block Island, it would be outside of sensitive habitat in an area known as Cox Ledge. The waters around the ledge are known for their rich diversity of species and serve as a nursery ground for fish. They are among the only remaining places off Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts where Atlantic cod are known to spawn.
Concerns about negative impacts on the area fueled opposition by fishermen and others to the South Fork and Revolution projects.
For Sunrise, after talks with coastal council staff, Ørsted and Eversource eliminated three dozen possible turbine positions to address fisheries concerns. The developers also plan to minimize disturbance to boulders, which contribute to the complex habitat on the ocean floor, and committed to other concessions. According to their recommendation, staff found the project to be consistent with council policies.
What to know: Work has started on major offshore wind farm that would power Rhode Island
The developers have offered $17.9 million in mitigation, including $16.9 million in direct compensation to fishermen for any losses caused by the project.
Offshore construction on the wind farm would start in late 2024, and it is projected to go into operation before the end of 2025.
“We look forward to the work ahead as we play our part in building a stronger, more sustainable clean-energy future,” Sunrise Wind said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Offshore wind farm that would go up off RI and power NY clears hurdle
