South Fork Wind Farm: A Game Changer for Clean Energy Solutions in New York

In short: South Fork Wind Farm, New York's first commercial offshore wind farm in 2024, is a milestone toward achieving the United States' 2030 renewable energy goals.

South Fork Wind: A Game Changer for Clean Energy Solutions in New York

The New Offshore Wind Farm, with a capacity of 150 MW, is a landmark project in the search for sustainable energy solutions. It represents the first wind project to advance US offshore wind capacity. The initiative, to be plugged into the national grid in 2024, is at the forefront of a nationwide effort to use renewable energy while fighting climate change. 

The South Fork Offshore Wind Farm demonstrates wind power's potential to sustainably meet growing electricity demand and is a milestone toward achieving the United States' 2030 renewable energy goals.  Jointly owned by Danish multinational Ørsted and US energy provider Eversource, the wind farm pushes the boundaries of both technological innovation and environmental responsibility.

South Fork Wind: A Key Component of U.S. Offshore Wind Development

The South Fork Wind farm consists of 12 Siemens Gamesa turbines, has a capacity of 130 megawatts, and can generate clean energy for more than 70,000 homes. This projects a major step toward New York's goal of 70% of its electricity sources from renewables by 2030 and contributes to the state's energy initiative for 2024. Located roughly 35 miles off the coast of Montauk, the wind farm is expected to eliminate up to six million tons of carbon emissions over the lifespan, which is equivalent to moving 60,000 cars off the road for the next 20 years.

As we look toward 2024, the South Fork offshore wind farm symbolizes the Biden-Harris administration's Wind Policy 2030 to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It is the prime example of Biden Wind Goal 2030. With a controversial $300 million budget, it is expected to provide long-term solutions to challenges and create green jobs while contributing to economic growth. This indicates the country's commitment to reach 30 GW of offshore wind generation by 2030.

National Climate Advisor to President Biden Ali Zaidi stated, “Instead of denying climate change, the Biden-Harris Administration is building the infrastructure that allows us to take on this crisis. Under President Biden, we are building an American offshore wind industry that activates factories, ports, and shipyards across the country, catalyzes Made in America supply chains, and prioritizes our workers and communities. With the South Fork Wind project now complete and more underway ⸺ all approved and supported by the Biden-Harris Administration ⸺ we celebrate the massive progress that’s been achieved thanks to strong partnerships with leaders like Governor Hochul. This historic milestone will not only advance President Biden’s ambitious climate goals but also create good-paying jobs, strengthen our power grid, support workers, and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

National Climate Advisor to President Biden Ali Zaidi

Instead of denying climate change, the Biden-Harris Administration is building the infrastructure that allows us to take on this crisis. Under President Biden, we are building an American offshore wind industry that activates factories, ports, and shipyards across the country, catalyzes Made in America supply chains, and prioritizes our workers and communities. With the South Fork Wind project now complete and more underway – all approved and supported by the Biden-Harris Administration ⸺ we celebrate the massive progress that’s been achieved thanks to strong partnerships with leaders like Governor Hochul. This historic milestone will not only advance President Biden’s ambitious climate goals but also create good-paying jobs, strengthen our power grid, support workers, and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

⸺ Ali Zaidi

According to the American Clean Power (ACP) 2024 Offshore Wind Market Report, 58 GW of U.S. offshore wind capacity is being developed. Still, many of these projects are unlikely to come stream for years.

Supply Chain Constraints and Rising Costs Pose Challenges to Offshore Wind Development

One of the challenges in developing offshore wind farms is supply chain constraints. Onshore wind projects are capital-intensive, requiring considerable investment to build in the middle of the sea, despite an initial investment of $300 million. The cost of capital has also gone up as the cost of raw materials and labor has gone up after the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Since the South Fork project is connected underwater, the supply chain is not readily available. For example, there are only a few ships in the world capable of laying underwater cables, and wind turbine installation ships are also uniquely designed for the industry.

However, Offshore wind is an established global industry, with the United States second in the world in terms of wind power, behind China, but still a domestic supply chain.

However, some of these supply chain issues are beginning to ease as more projects are launched Dominion Energy is building the first Jones Act-compliant turbine installation vessel in Brownsville, Texas, which will supply materials to the Coastal Virginia offshore wind project. Later, the vessel will be available for use by other companies.

The first Jones Act-compliant turbine installation vessel in Brownsville, Texas, Photo: Dominion Energy

US Green Jobs 2024

South Fork Wind is emerging as a game changer for job creation, delivering over 1,200 direct construction jobs and thousands more indirect and induced jobs through investment. Hundreds of New Yorkers ironworkers, engineers, electricians, and conservationists are driving the South Fork Wind project. It aims to generate thousands of long-term and temporary green jobs, supports training programs, funds scientific research, and offers opportunities to underserved communities.

Ørsted's projects span over 40 states. Offshore wind port hubs are springing up across the United States, including the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the Port of Virginia, and the Port of New London in Connecticut. The Wind project is being detailed in New York, South Carolina, Texas, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, among others.