USA: Deepwater Wind Hails BOEM’s Announcement

Deepwater Wind hailed yesterday’s determination by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of “no competitive interest” for the transmission line connecting an offshore wind farm off the coast of Block Island to mainland Rhode Island.

“Today’s announcement further solidifies our plan to bring reliable renewable energy to the residents of Block Island and the rest of the state of Rhode Island,” said Deepwater Wind CEO William Moore. “This is just the latest milestone for a path- breaking project that will jumpstart the East Coast offshore wind industry.”

Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm, a 30-megawatt demonstration-scale offshore wind farm, will be connected to both Block Island and mainland Rhode Island via the bi-directional Block Island Transmission System (BITS).

The five-turbine wind farm, located in state waters about three miles off the Block Island coast, is on target to be the nation’s first offshore energy project.

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Offshore WIND staff, August 8, 2012; Image: Deepwater Wind