GE Renewable Energy Begins Shipping Nacelles For Block Island Wind Farm

GE Renewable Energy has begun shipping the first offshore wind nacelles to the United States for the Block Island Wind Farm, the country’s first offshore wind project.

GE Renewable Energy announced on Monday that its offshore wind turbine plant in Saint-Nazaire, France, is completing the manufacturing of its first commercial series of Haliade Offshore wind turbine nacelles that will be used in the 30 MW Block Island Wind Farm, being developed off the coast of Rhode Island. The 370-tonne nacelles are scheduled to begin their journey to the east coast of the United States in the coming days, and are expected to be installed starting in August.

“This marks a milestone for the company and we are proud to contribute to the Block Island project, the first offshore wind farm in the United States,” said Anders Soe-Jensen, CEO of GE Renewable Energy’s Offshore Wind unit. “This demonstrates our readiness  to respond to expanding international demand. We are well positioned to become a major player in offshore wind energy, and to lead in the energy transition across the world.”

“We’re proud that America’s first offshore wind farm will feature, in GE’s Haliade turbine, some of the world’s most innovative offshore wind technology,” added Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind, the developer behind the Block Island Wind Farm.

Deepwater Wind acquired full financing for the Block Island Wind Farm back in March of 2015, which was followed a year later by the completion of the offshore wind turbine platforms.

America’s offshore wind industry has suffered from a lack of suitable policy and investment over the past decade, but it appears as if recent signs might be pointing towards a stronger future.