First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Attracts Big League Investors

GE Energy Financial Services, a GE unit, and Citi, a multinational investment banking and financial services corporation, have announced the closing of tax equity financing on Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm, the first offshore wind farm in the United States.

”An innovative project takes thoughtful and hard-working partners to navigate all of the ‘first mover’ considerations. We couldn’t have asked for better institutions to partner with than Citi and GE,” said Bryan Martin, Chairman of the Board of Deepwater Wind and Managing Director of D.E. Shaw & Co., L.P.

Deepwater Wind completed construction on the 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm in August, and commercial operations are expected to begin in November. The role of the D.E. Shaw group, principal owner of Deepwater Wind, remains unchanged with the addition of the two tax equity investors, GE said.

“We’re very proud that two world-class, U.S. companies have chosen to invest in America’s first offshore wind farm,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski.

“Their backing is a testament to the significance of this project and the strength of the American offshore wind industry.”

GE Renewable Energy is the project’s turbine supplier, providing the five, 6-megawatt Haliade wind turbines for the wind farm, which is located roughly three miles off the coast of Block Island, Rhode Island. In addition to the turbines, GE Renewable Energy’s offshore wind business is providing long-term services and maintenance for the project.

The Block Island Wind Farm is GE Energy Financial Services’ second offshore wind investment this year, building upon the company’s USD 12 billion renewable energy investment commitments in more than 18-gigawatts of wind and solar projects.

Kevin Walsh, Managing Director and Head of U.S. Renewables at GE Energy Financial Services, said: “The Block Island Wind Farm is a landmark project in the U.S. renewables market that GE is proud to support with capital investments and advanced wind energy technology.”

This transaction contributes to Citi’s 2015 announced goal to lend, invest and facilitate a total of USD 100 billion over ten years to activities that reduce the impacts of climate change and create environmental solutions that benefit people and communities, Marshal Salant, Global Head of Alternative Energy Finance at Citi, said.

“Citi is proud to partner with GE, D.E. Shaw and Deepwater Wind to support this innovative project,” Salant said

“The Block Island Wind Farm offers a great example of Citi’s commitment to sustainable growth and to financing the development of clean renewable energy infrastructure.”