1st-Ever Wind Power Delivered To LI From Offshore Turbine Off Montauk

MONTAUK, NY — History was made on the East End Wednesday as Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the successful delivery of clean power to Long Island from the first operational wind turbine at South Fork Wind.

The moment marked a historic milestone, as the first utility-scale offshore wind farm in federal waters began "powering up" in the United States, Hochul said.

The project has completed the installation of two turbines, with one operational, approximately 35 miles off Montauk with all 12 turbines expected to be installed by early 2024.

The news represents progress toward the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal of installing nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, Hochul said.

The first turbine was installed last month.

"Today’s milestone — generating the first power from South Fork Wind — is a significant step toward achieving New York’s offshore wind goal," Hochul said. "As the nation’s first utility-scale project in federal waters, South Fork Wind will power thousands of homes with clean, renewable energy, and demonstrates that offshore wind is a viable clean energy resource that can be harnessed as part of our transition away from harmful fossil fuels."

The historic moment, which comes just two weeks after the installation of New York’s first offshore wind turbine, was celebrated in East Hampton alongside joint-venture partners Ørsted and Eversource, elected officials, environmental advocates and community members.

When complete, South Fork Wind will generate approximately 130 megawatts of renewable energy, enough to power approximately 70,000 Long Island homes; the renewable energy from South Fork Wind will eliminate up to 6 million tons of carbon emissions each year, the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road, Hochul said.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez commented: "The nation is watching New York as we once again take the lead in offshore wind and continue to trailblaze toward a more sustainable future for New York’s communities."

Add Long Island Power Authority CEO Thomas Falcone: "Nearly eight years in the making, this first offshore wind turbine producing energy transforms that vision into a reality. LIPA is proud to support this landmark project on behalf of our 1.2 million customers on Long Island and in the Rockaways."

Ørsted Group EVP and CEO Americas, David Hardy also reflected: "East Hampton has now made history as the first community in New York to receive clean energy from an offshore wind farm."

Eversource Energy Chairman, President and CEO Joe Nolan added: "South Fork Wind is a project by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers. Clean, renewable offshore wind energy is now flowing to the local grid in East Hampton thanks especially to the hard work of local union workers and contractors who helped us build South Fork Wind’s transmission system and onshore substation."

First approved by the LIPA board of trustees in 2017, South Fork Wind began construction in February 2022, beginning with the onshore export cable system that links the project to the LIPA energy grid, which was completed early this year, Hochul said. The wind farm reached its “steel in the water” milestone in June 2023 with the installation of the project’s first monopile foundation. Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel, the Aeolus, is installing the turbines.

South Fork Wind includes the first U.S. built offshore wind substation, Hochul said. More than 350 U.S. workers across three states supported construction of the substation, a topside structure that collects the power produced by wind turbines and connects it to the grid. New York union workers supported its installation offshore, she said.

New York Senator Anthony Palumbo applauded the news: "Today is an important step in meeting New York State's renewable energy goals and providing Long Islanders with lower cost, reliable clean power. Renewable power is a critical component of our energy future, and the state must work to ensure that New Yorkers continue to benefit from all aspects of this transition — from job opportunities to affordable energy, to a cleaner environment."

And, said New York State Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele Jr.: "There can be no doubt anymore that climate change is real. Every day, we are seeing the adverse impacts on eastern Long Island and across the globe. New York State has been a leader in policy innovation attacking climate change. The enactment of the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which I co-sponsored, established aggressive goals to substantially reduce carbon emissions by 2050 by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, like wind power. This project marks a significant first step toward reaching our climate goals.”

Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone said Suffolk County was proud to be a national leader in clean and renewable energy.

"Through the collaboration and leadership of Governor Hochul, our regional officials and community stakeholders, we remain at the forefront of the offshore wind industry, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability and economic growth of our region," he added.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said the onset of production of clean, renewable wind power from the South Fork Wind turbines, and its delivery to the ocal electric grid system in East Hampton, "is an exciting milestone that advances East Hampton Town’s comprehensive renewable energy goals as well as those of New York State. East Hampton Town is pleased to have worked with Orsted and Eversource to accomplish this goal."

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.