CRMC OKs Block Island Offshore Wind Farm

Deepwater Wind has received another permit for its project off the coast of Block Island.

Namely, the Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) voted unanimously to approve the Block Island offshore wind energy project last night, according to the Providence Journal.

The $300-million project comprises of five Alstom 6MW turbines, capable of producing enough electricity to power over 17,000 homes.

The power will be exported to the grid via Block Island Transmission System, a submarine cable which will connect Block Island with the mainland, making landfall in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Deepwater Wind expects to secure the remaining approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this spring, thus enabling them to start the construction as soon as next year.

Last week, the company received permit from Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the dredging, filling, water withdrawals, and site disturbances.

Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said: “This project is far and away our company’s number-one priority. This is going to be the first in the U.S.”