LOC Houston has been named marine surveyor for America’s first 30 MW offshore wind farm offshore Block Island.
This project will connect Block Island to the mainland grid for the first time, reducing island electric rates and diversifying Rhode Island’s power supply, while creating 300 local construction jobs.
Andrew Hughes, LOC’s Vice President of Energy said: “This represents a major step forward for alternative energy in the US, and LOC is proud to be at the forefront of this new energy sector. Although this is LOC’s first offshore wind development project in the US, LOC Group has extensive MWS and consulting experience with offshore wind in Europe.”
“We are optimistic that the Block Island Wind Farm is a gateway to future US Offshore Wind Developments and LOC is excited to be associated with this emerging market.”
The five jacket structures and foundation pilings are being transported by barge to the site of the wind farm and will be installed over the next several weeks. The turbines and subsea cables are scheduled for delivery in 2016. This 30-megawatt project will begin generating electricity as early as next year, powering the homes on Block Island, which currently relies on diesel fuel. Over time, a 20-mile underwater cable will carry overflow power, not consumed on Block Island, back to mainland Rhode Island.