Deepwater Wind hailed the announcement by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee that the federal leasing and permitting process for a utility-scale offshore wind farm in Rhode Island Sound is moving forward.
“ The announcement is great news not only for Rhode Island and the southern New England region but also for the entire renewable energy industry,” said Deepwater Wind CEO Bill Moore.
“ A large-scale wind farm in the deep waters south of Rhode Island Sound will deliver hundreds of jobs to southern New England, along with a clean, renewable source of energy,” Moore added. “We commend Governor Chafee for keeping Rhode Island at the forefront of this emerging industry, and are thankful for Secretary Salazar’s steady leadership in promoting renewable energy. Senators Reed and Whitehouse also keenly appreciate the benefits of a clean energy future for our nation, and we are grateful for their leadership. We are also thankful for the continued support of Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline.”
Deepwater Wind will next submit an application to the federal government for a 1,000-megawatt offshore wind farm under the process announced by Secretary Salazar, and will base its manufacturing and construction operations at Quonset Point, where the company has over 100 acres under lease option. Deepwater Wind is also exploring port and other facilities in Massachusetts to compliment its Quonset base.
Deepwater Wind has proposed a 1,000-megawatt offshore wind farm located in Rhode Island Sound – in the “Area of Mutual Interest” between the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This is the same area that is the subject of the announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This Deepwater Wind Energy Center will be able to supply clean, renewable energy to both New England states as well as Long Island via a regional transmission network.
As a result of a competitive bid process held by the State of Rhode Island in 2008, Deepwater Wind is the state’s preferred developer in this Area of Mutual Interest. Deepwater Wind’s preferred status was recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governors of both Rhode Island and Massachusetts in 2010.
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Source: dwwind, August 24, 2011;