Project Overview

South Fork Offshore Wind Farm is New York’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project located 19 miles southeast of Block Island in the Federal waters. The 132 MW offshore wind project features 12 Siemens Gamesa 11 MW wind turbines installed on monopile foundations. South Fork Wind is designed to generate enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 70,000 homes.

The offshore wind project was developed in a 50/50 partnership between Ørsted and Eversource. Construction began in 2022 following approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for both the Construction and Operations Plan. The South Fork wind farm became fully operational in March 2024.

Project Background

South Fork Wind is the precursor of the upcoming offshore wind farms in the United States. This offshore wind farm project is one of the first to lay the foundation for the Biden-Harris Administration's goal to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030. 

The South Fork Offshore Wind Farm project was initially proposed in 2017 and approved by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees. The project has been developed as a 50:50 joint venture between Danish renewable energy company Ørsted and U.S.-based electric utility Eversource Energy, which was formed in February 2019. 

The offshore wind project reached an important milestone on January 18, 2022, when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approved the Construction and Operations Plan. The project also became the first offshore wind farm to secure coverage under the Permitting Council's FAST-41 program (a federal agency charged with reviewing certain critical infrastructure projects).

South Fork project announced the final investment decision (FID) for the project in February 2022. Construction of the wind farm also began in the same month, with work starting on the onshore export cable system to connect the Long Island electric grid. 

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In June 2022, the foundation and offshore substation installation activities of the wind farm were announced. By May 2023, the onshore export cable system was completed and later, in June 2023, the first monopile foundation was installed.

In December 2023, the first turbine of the wind farm had become operational, and South Fork delivered its first power to the grid. The installation of all monopile foundations and the project’s offshore substation was completed during the summer of 2023. The final turbine was installed in February 2024, bringing the 132 MW project to full operational capacity.

In a key development for ownership, Eversource signed an agreement in February 2024 to sell its 50% stake in the South Fork Wind project, along with the 704 MW Revolution Wind project to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). The South Fork wind farm project was fully commissioned on March 14, 2024.

South Fork Location Details

South Fork Wind location map

The South Fork Wind power project is located approximately 30.6 km (19 miles) southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island, and 56.3 km (35 miles) east of Montauk Point, New York. The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facility will be located in a port in Montauk in East Hampton, New York, or at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The wind farm is in federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) within the BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0517. The water depth in the project area ranges from 33 meters (108.2 feet) to 41 meters (134.5 feet), providing an optimal environment for offshore wind development.

Project Cost

According to the Permit Council of Federal Infrastructure Projects US, the project cost of the South Fork offshore wind farm is USD 740 million.

Technical Specifications

South Fork Wind consists of 12 Siemens Gamesa SG 11.0-200 DD wind turbines supported by steel monopile foundations. The turbines are spaced approximately 1.9 kilometers apart and have a rated power output of 11 MW. Each wind turbine is equipped with a 200-meter (656.1 feet) rotor featuring 97-meter (318.2 feet) long blades, resulting in a vast swept area of 31,400 square meters (337,987 square feet). 

A key feature of the SG 11.0-200 DD turbines is their high wind ride-through (HWRT) system, which automatically shuts down the turbines to protect them when wind speeds exceed 25 meters per second (82 feet per second). The turbines utilize direct drive technology with a permanent magnet generator, offering greater efficiency and reduced maintenance needs by eliminating the need for a gearbox.

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Power generated by the turbines is transmitted through an inter-array cable system to an offshore substation. The turbine consists of high-voltage and medium-voltage power transformers, along with switchyard reactors and a small diesel generator for backup.

The substation uses a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for real-time monitoring and control of the wind farm's operations. Electricity from the substation is transmitted to the East Hampton substation, located off Cove Hollow Road in East Hampton, New York, via a single 138kV alternating current (AC) transmission line. 

The cable makes landfall at Beach Lane in Wainscott, New York, which was chosen as the preferred location for the connection to the mainland grid. This ensures a reliable delivery of clean energy to the Long Island power network.

Contractors Involved

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Project Timeline

Project Benefits

South Fork Wind was a complete package for New York with significant environmental, economic, and community benefits. The wind farm supplies clean electricity to approximately 70,000 Long Island homes and reduces up to six million tons of carbon emissions annually.

The project development also created around 1,000 short- and long-term jobs, supporting local and national employment. The South Fork Wind injected nearly USD 1 billion in private investment, involving over 170 contracts with suppliers across 19 states. The developers, Ørsted and Eversource, also committed USD 29 million in a community benefit agreement with East Hampton Town, New York.

The project prioritized environmental protections by collaborating with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and other partners to implement safeguards for the endangered North Atlantic right whale during construction.

Current and Future Outlook

The South Fork offshore wind project was officially opened on 14th March 2024, and it entered the O&M (operation and maintenance) phase. Ørsted is the operator of the wind farm and is responsible for the O&M activities. In October 2024, Eversource Energy announced that it has completed the sale of its 50 percent interest in the South Fork Wind project (South Fork Wind) and and the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project (Revolution Wind) to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). Adjusted gross proceeds from the transaction were calaculated at USD 745 million.

Also Read: Sunrise Offshore Wind Farm Project US

South Fork Wind’s successful completion supports New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requirements to achieve 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. Also, the wind farm reassure the progress towards New York’s nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

Conclusion

The South Fork Offshore Wind Farm, commissioned in March 2024, becomes New York’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project. With a capacity of 132 MW, it generates clean energy for approximately 70,000 homes and reduces carbon emissions by six million tons annually. Developed through a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource, the project contributes to both environmental goals and economic growth by creating jobs and fostering local investment. The South Fork wind farm plays a crucial role in advancing New York’s ambitious renewable energy targets and supporting the broader U.S. offshore wind industry.

FAQs

Who owns South Fork Wind?

South Fork Wind is owned by Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners' Skyborn Renewables.

Is South Fork Wind operational?

New York's first offshore wind farm, South Fork Wind became fully operational on March 14, 2024.

How deep is the South Fork Wind?

South Fork Wind is situated in the depth ranging from 30 to 45 m (98 to 148 ft) in shallow New York waters.

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