The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental impact analysis (EIA) of the 704MW Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island, moving the project to the final stage in the permitting process.
Project developers Ørsted and Eversource had originally planned for the offshore wind farm to be up to 880MW and comprise up to 100 turbines, but following previous public consultations they agreed to cut the number of turbines to a maximum of 65.
In its final EIA report, published on 17 July, BOEM said its "preferred alternative" of up to 65 turbines is aimed at reducing impacts to visual resources and ocean-floor – or benthic – habitat, allowing for ocean co-use, and meeting the energy needs of Rhode Island.
The project would also include two offshore export cable corridors.
“BOEM used the feedback we received from Tribal Nations, industry, ocean users, communities and stakeholders to help inform our decisions throughout the environmental review process and ensure that we are addressing potential impacts,” said BOEM director Elizabeth Klein.
Assuming it gets the green light, Revolution Wind will be the fourth commercial-scale offshore wind project located on the US Outer Continental Shelf approved by the Biden-Harris administration.
BOEM plans to issue a final decision on the project this summer.
“Today’s news is a critical step forward for Rhode Island and Connecticut’s progress toward their clean energy goals," said the American Clean Power Association's vice president for offshore wind, Josh Kaplowitz. “The final environmental impact statement is the result of rigorous review and extensive public comment from key stakeholders, demonstrating BOEM’s commitment to building clean power in a way that protects the environment and incorporates community feedback – a commitment that the industry shares. ACP looks forward to BOEM’s final approval of Revolution this summer and the jobs, manufacturing capacity, and energy security that America’s offshore wind industry will bring."
ACP said it is estimated that 1,200 direct construction jobs and thousands of additional indirect jobs will be created through the project’s investment in the local economy.
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