The Revolution Wind energy project began delivering first power to the New England electric grid Friday, as workers installed the last new turbine blade on the Vineyard Wind array.
The projects reached those milestones just weeks after federal courts stayed the Trump administration’s Dec. 22 blanket attempt to shut them and three other projects down.
Revolution Wind, LLC, is a 50/50 joint venture between Global Infrastructure Partners’ Skyborn Renewables and Ørsted, the Denmark-based energy company that had been an early pioneer in the U.S. offshore wind market.
The 704 MW array off southern New England is projected to supply up to 350,000 residential and business customers through 20-year agreements with energy utilities in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The assembly marked the end of a rocky road for Vineyard Wind, hailed by renewable energy advocates when developers first submitted the plan in 2017. In July 2024 the project suffered a major setback when a turbine blade fractured.
Investigators determined faulty manufacture was to blame and builder GE Vernova replaced more blades in the following months, and paid $10.5 million to compensate Nantucket island businesses for lost revenue during the summer beach season.
“Revolution Wind is adding affordable, reliable American-made energy to New England’s grid, helping to meet growing energy demand and lower consumer costs,” Amanda Dasch, Ørsted’s chief development officer, said in a company statement. “Built by local, highly skilled union workers, Revolution Wind is a testament to states tapping their energy resources to strengthen regional energy security and contribute to American energy dominance.”
“Revolution Wind has supported more than 2,000 workers across U.S. construction, operations, shipping, and manufacturing, including more than 1,000 local union labor workers logging more than 2 million hours on the project,” according to the company. “Across its U.S. offshore projects, Ørsted is investing nearly $700 million into domestic shipbuilding and vessel contracts, catalyzing construction of 14 new, American-made vessels.”
“The first power from Revolution Wind comes at a critical time for our region, as recent extreme cold temperatures have underscored how important it is to bring every reliable energy source online for customers. This project adds essential new supply that enhances grid reliability, meets growing demand, and ensures dependable power when our customers need it most,” said Joe Nolan, chairman and CEO of Eversource.
“Bringing the first power from Revolution Wind online is a truly meaningful step for Rhode Island and the region,” said Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy. “At a time when resources are needed more than ever, this project adds important diversity to our energy mix and contributes added capacity to support the reliability our customers expect, particularly during periods of high demand.”
