Rhode Island coastal regulators will wait another week before making a decision on a key approval for a large offshore wind farm proposed in ocean waters southeast of Block Island.
Governors Wind Energy Coalition
Developers agree to fewer turbines in proposed offshore wind farm Source: By Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal • Posted: Wednesday, May 26, 2021
PROVIDENCE The developers of the South Fork Wind Farm are set to reduce the number of turbines from 15 to 12 in response to a request from Rhode Island coastal regulators who want to minimize disruption to the marine environment and the state’s fishing industry.
At a meeting of the state Coastal Resources Management Council on Tuesday, Ørsted, the Denmark-based offshore wind company, and its partner Eversource, a regional electric utility, will formally agree to use more powerful turbines that would allow them to cut down on the number needed while still maintaining the same, approximately 132-megawatt capacity of the wind farm.
The developers of the South Fork Wind Farm are set to reduce the number of turbines from 15 to 12 in response to a request from Rhode Island coastal regulators who want to minimize disruption to the marine environment and the state’s fishing industry.
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island coastal regulators will wait another week before making a decision on a key approval for a large offshore wind farm proposed in ocean waters southeast of Block Island.
The state Coastal Resources Management Council was set to decide Tuesday whether to certify that the South Fork Wind Farm complies with Rhode Island’s coastal policies, but after five hours of testimony from developers Orsted and Eversource in favor of the 132-megawatt project and from fishermen concerned about its impacts, the meeting was continued to June 2. At that time, the council will hear public comment and vote.
At issue is a package recommended by council staff to minimize potential negative impacts from the wind farm on the state’s fishing industry and marine habitat in the project area located in Rhode Island Sound. The proposed package includes a reduction in the number of turbines, from 15 to 12, and the creation of a $12-million fund, that would be
South Fork developers cut turbines, add money for fishermen ahead of CRMC vote
DEVELOPERS OF THE South Fork Wind Farm have proposed reducing the number of turbines and increasing payouts to fishermen based on recommendations by R.I. coastal regulators, who will vote Tuesday on whether to approve the project. /SOURCE: R.I. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT / PBN FILE GRAPHIC/ANNE EWING
SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Developers of the South Fork Wind Farm are hoping that upping their payout to local fishermen and cutting the number of turbines in the project will pass muster with Rhode Island coastal regulators.
Developers Orsted A/S and Eversource Energy have agreed to adjust their proposal from 15 to 12 turbines, while setting up a $12 million compensation fund for local fishermen, Meaghan Wims, a project spokesperson, said on Tuesday. The changes come ahead of the R.I. Coastal Resources Commission’s scheduled vote Tuesday night on whether to certify the project, which would provide e