Revolution Wind Starts Power Supply to New England Homes

Revolution Wind, a major offshore wind project off the coast of Rhode Island, has started sending electricity to New England’s grid, the developer Orsted announced Friday. The project will gradually scale up until it is fully operational, providing clean energy for homes and businesses in Rhode Island and Connecticut—enough to power more than 350,000 homes.

The project is a collaboration between Orsted, a Danish energy company, and Global Infrastructure Partners’ Skyborn Renewables. Construction began in 2024, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the Rhode Island coast. The wind farm features 65 Siemens Gamesa turbines, each producing 11 megawatts, and over 1,000 workers have contributed to its development.

Revolution Wind faced delays under the Trump administration, which halted the project twice in 2023 citing national security concerns. Developers and states challenged the halts in court, and federal judges allowed construction to resume, ruling that the national security risk was not immediate.

The Biden administration has been actively promoting offshore wind as part of its clean energy and climate initiatives, contrasting with former President Donald Trump’s policies, which favored oil, gas, and coal. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated that the Trump administration “reversed course on Biden’s green energy agenda” while emphasizing reliable and affordable energy.

Orsted highlighted that Revolution Wind will not only provide clean energy but also offer price stability. A preliminary analysis by Connecticut estimates the project could lower wholesale energy costs by about $500 million per year by 2028. Amanda Dasch, Orsted’s chief development officer, said, “Revolution Wind is adding affordable, reliable American-made energy to New England’s grid, helping to meet growing energy demand and lower consumer costs.”

Rhode Island’s acting energy commissioner, Chris Kearns, called the milestone a “significant moment for the state’s clean energy landscape.” Connecticut Representative Joe Courtney also praised the project, noting that offshore transmission ensures energy prices are shielded from global market fluctuations, including disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in Iran. He added that the milestone “never would have happened without talented Connecticut building trades workers, who persevered through the Trump administration’s illegal halt work orders.”