South Fork Wind project advances with substation foundation | Long Island Business News

The installation of a substation foundation for the South Fork Wind project off the East End of Long Island has been hailed as a major milestone by government officials, union leaders and utility executives. 

The installation of the first monopile foundation marks the start of the offshore installation phase of the 12-turbine, 130-megawatt wind farm, which will be the first completed offshore wind farm in federal waters, with operations beginning by the end of the year, according to Ørsted and Eversource, the companies behind the South Fork Wind project. 

Once completed, the wind farm located about 35 miles off Montauk Point will generate enough energy to power about 70,000 homes, while eliminating up to 6 million tons of carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road annually over a 25-year period, according to a statement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. 

“New York is leading offshore wind development and building a green economy that will support hundreds of good-paying jobs and benefit generations to come,” Hochul said in the statement. “This progress on building the first utility-scale offshore wind project in the country cements New York as a national hub for the offshore wind industry.” 

The South Fork Wind project was approved by the Long Island Power Authority in 2017, after a request-for-proposals process two years earlier. 

“Today marks a significant step in New York’s clean energy journey and for LIPA’s commitment to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for our customers,” LIPA CEO Com Falcone said in the statement. “Years in the making, this project milestone signifies that our efforts are transforming from vision into reality. We are proud to be a part of this landmark project and will continue to lead and innovate in our pursuit of a sustainable future for Long Island and in the Rockaways.” 

The South Fork Wind project is one of five offshore wind projects the state has in development, totaling more than 4,300 megawatts and generating enough energy to power more than 2.4 million homes. The projects are expected to bring a combined economic impact of $12.1 billion to the state, creating more than 6,800 jobs in project development, component manufacturing, installation, and operations and maintenance, according to the statement. 

The state has set a goal of 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2035, which would account for around 30 percent of the state’s electricity needs, equivalent to powering 6 million homes and creating about 10,000 jobs. 

New York local union members, including ironworkers, pile drivers, divers, operating engineers, electricians, laborers, and other members of the region’s building trades are supporting the work offshore as a result of the National Offshore Wind Agreement signed by Ørsted and Eversource and building trades unions in 2022. 

“I’m tremendously excited and proud to see the first steel structure being constructed offshore. This is truly a momentous achievement that will help reduce emissions for Long Island,” Matthew Aracich, president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, said in the statement. “These turbines represent the first large-scale wind farm we’re building offshore, and they represent a huge leap forward in workforce development. Additionally, I would like to thank the hardworking skilled tradeswomen and tradesmen who are building these turbines each and every day.” 

Executives from Ørsted and Eversource praised “the bold leadership” of the Biden-Harris and Hochul administrations for championing offshore wind power, and thanked local officials and other supporters of the project. 

“As we reach a milestone nearly a decade in the making, we’re reflective of all those who have long championed this project in the East Hampton community, and beyond,” David Hardy, group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted, said in the statement. 

Fred Zalcman, director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, said that the installation of the project’s first offshore wind components is the culmination of years of effort from civic leaders, state and federal officials, laborers, and private industry. 

“The South Fork Wind Farm stands as a proof of concept to the significant environmental, economic and social benefits of this resource, and future generations will look back on this monumental event and thank those responsible for the South Fork Wind Farm for their perseverance, creativity, and vision in bringing this seminal project to fruition,” Zalcman said. 

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