New London State Pier Terminal Getting Ready for South Fork Wind Project

March 6, 2023, by Adnan Memija

The Connecticut Port Authority has revealed that the Northeast Bulkhead, also known as the “delivery berth”, was completed at New London’s State Pier in the US.

The 40-acre New London State Pier Terminal will be used to assemble and deliver offshore wind turbines for the Ørsted and Eversource joint venture’s South Fork Wind project this spring.

The delivery berth is a heavy-lift platform capable of handling loads of 5,000 pounds per square foot.

“The Port of New London is a pivotal component in Connecticut and the Northeast region’s efforts to confront climate change through new sources of renewable energy while also promoting local economic development, job creation, and community benefits”, said Michael Ausere, Vice President of Business Development at Eversource Energy and David Ortiz, Ørsted’s Head of Government Affairs and Market Strategy for the Northeast.

“This significant milestone ensures that we remain on track for South Fork Wind operations to commence on site this spring, bringing us one step closer to helping the region achieve a clean energy future”.

Once fully completed later this year, the terminal will feature two heavy-lift platforms capable of accommodating offshore wind turbine components and a wider range of cargo than the facility had been able to service in the past, the CT Port Authority said.

Construction of the second platform and southern end of the project will continue through fall without disruption to South Fork Wind operations and will be used to support the staging and assembly of two additional Ørsted and Eversource’s offshore wind projects, namely the 704 MW Revolution Wind and the 880 MW Sunrise Wind.

Gateway New London has been preparing for the commencement of terminal operations – slated for April – by working with the US Department of Transportation regarding the security of the terminal as required of similar port facilities.

Additionally, Gateway has been working with the joint venture, representatives of Siemens Gamesa, and the International Longshoremen’s Association to prepare for the launch of operations.

South Fork Wind, for which Ørsted and Eversource reached the final investment decision (FID) at the beginning of last year, will be New York’s first offshore wind farm and the second commercial-scale project of this kind to be built in the US, following Vineyard Wind.

The 130 MW South Fork Wind, which will comprise twelve 11 MW Siemens Gamesa turbines, is scheduled to be in service by the end of this year when it will provide enough energy to power up to 70,000 New York homes.

When it comes to State Pier Terminal, the port will be the first port of call for Dominion’s Charybdis, the first US-built wind turbine installation vessel.