The Revolution Wind project has achieved a significant milestone as it receives the green light from the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council).
This $1.5 billion offshore wind initiative has successfully passed its final federal permitting review, marking a pivotal step towards delivering 704 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to communities in Connecticut and Rhode Island. This substantial capacity is anticipated to power over 250,000 households.
Eric Beightel, Executive Director of the Permitting Council, highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s dedication to fostering a clean energy future nationwide. He emphasized the importance of expanding offshore wind capacity and praised the efficiency and accountability demonstrated by the approval process. The success of the Revolution Wind project underscores the effectiveness of coordinated efforts among federal agencies, enabling timely decisions in complex environmental reviews and authorizations.
Situated 15 miles off Rhode Island’s coast and 32 miles southeast of Connecticut, the Revolution Wind project stands as a major utility-scale offshore wind farm. Upon completion, it will supply 304 MW of clean energy to Connecticut and 400 MW to Rhode Island.
The impact is substantial, projected to eliminate over one million metric tons of carbon pollution — equivalent to removing more than 150,000 cars from the roads. This aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s emphasis on offshore wind development, aiming to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030.
The Permitting Council plays a central role in coordinating offshore wind energy projects in the United States. With a portfolio encompassing 16 covered offshore wind initiatives, accounting for over 52 percent of the FAST-41 portfolio, these projects collectively aim to produce more than 27 gigawatts of energy if approved and constructed. This signifies a substantial leap forward in advancing clean energy goals and underscores the nation’s commitment to embracing renewable energy sources for a sustainable future.