Largest U.S. Offshore Wind Projects Ranked
The US offshore wind sector is experiencing a steady rise, aiming to match or even surpass its international counterparts. This growth is driven by major players like Avangrid Renewables, Ørsted, Dominion Energy, Equinor, and TotalEnergy Renewables USA, who are spearheading the development of some of the largest offshore wind farms in the country.
One of the earliest and largest offshore wind projects in the US is Vineyard Wind, an 800 MW project off Massachusetts. Developed jointly by Vineyard Wind and Avangrid (a subsidiary of Iberdrola), Vineyard Wind is progressing well with power production ramping up, aiming for full commercial operation by the end of 2025.
Ørsted, a Danish energy giant and a leading offshore wind developer globally, is behind the South Fork Wind project, a 132 MW offshore wind farm located east of Montauk Point, New York. Ørsted is also involved in the Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, which together will add approximately 1.8 GW of clean capacity by 2027, enough to power nearly 1 million homes.
Mentioned as a key player among leading US wind energy companies, Dominion Energy is actively involved in producing and transporting energy, including offshore wind development. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, with a capacity of 2,640 MW and expected to become operational by 2026, is one of Dominion Energy's notable projects. Located offshore Virginia, approximately 25 to 35 nautical miles east of Cape Henry, the project is set to contribute significantly to the US's renewable energy goals.
In North Carolina, Avangrid Renewables is the orchestrator of the Kitty Hawk Wind project, which will be developed in two phases, with a combined capacity of 2,500 MW. Meanwhile, Equinor Wind US LLC leads the helm of the Beacon Wind 1 project, located 60 miles east of Montauk Point, New York, and has a capacity of 1,230 MW.
The Wilmington East & Wilmington West Wind Farm, located off North Carolina's coast and boasting a combined capacity of 2,250 MW, is spearheaded by TotalEnergy Renewables USA. The Atlantic Shores project, located 13-15 miles east of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and having a capacity of 1,510 MW, is a joint development by Shell New Energies and EDF Renewables.
Furthermore, Ocean Wind 1, located off New Jersey's shores, plans to deliver a significant 1,100 MW upon its 2024 completion. Ørsted is the pioneer of this project as well. Ocean Wind 2, with a capacity of 1,148 MW, is another project off New Jersey's shores, anticipated for completion in 2027.
As these projects progress and new ones emerge, the list of the largest wind farms in the US is rapidly evolving. The US continues its journey towards a more sustainable energy future, with a growing domestic offshore wind industry that involves coordinated supply chains and workforce investments across multiple states.
However, it's important to note that the development of offshore wind farms also raises concerns about the potential negative effects on marine ecosystems. Sustainable development that benefits communities and minimizes environmental impact is crucial in this context.
References: [1] Vineyard Wind. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.vineyardwind.com/ [2] Ørsted. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://orsted.com/ [3] Dominion Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.dominionenergy.com/ [4] Arcosa, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.arcosa.com/
- The US offshore wind sector is not only growing but aiming to outperform its international counterparts, with major players like Avangrid Renewables, Ørsted, Dominion Energy, Equinor, and TotalEnergy Renewables USA leading the development of large-scale projects.
- One of the earliest and largest offshore wind projects in the US is Vineyard Wind, an 800 MW project off Massachusetts, developed by Vineyard Wind and Avangrid (a subsidiary of Iberdrola).
- Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind development, is behind the South Fork Wind project in New York, contributing to the US's renewable energy goals with its 132 MW capacity.
- Dominion Energy, a key player in the US wind energy industry, is spearheading the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, a 2,640 MW project offshore Virginia set to become operational by 2026.
- Avangrid Renewables is developing the Kitty Hawk Wind project in North Carolina, with a combined capacity of 2,500 MW, demonstrating the growth of the industry across multiple states.
- The development of offshore wind farms is not without its environmental concerns, and sustainable development that minimizes environmental impact while benefiting communities is crucial in this context, as the list of large-scale wind farms in the US continues to evolve.
