Ørsted Activates Revolution Wind Offshore Project

Revolution Wind, a large offshore wind project located near the coasts of Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts, has reached full operational status. The facility consists of 65 turbines capable of generating 704 megawatts of electricity. This output is sufficient to power approximately 350,000 homes.

The project was developed by Ørsted, a Danish energy company, over a period of nearly three years. In a statement, the company confirmed the milestone, stating that the project would help strengthen the region’s supply of affordable and reliable energy. More than 1,000 union workers were employed during the construction phase, many of whom spent extended periods at sea installing turbines and laying subsea cables.

Revolution Wind is one of four fully operational wind farms in the New England region. The other three are Vineyard Wind, South Fork Wind, and the Block Island Wind Farm. Vineyard Wind is slightly larger, with the capacity to power about 400,000 homes. South Fork Wind and Block Island Wind together generate 162 megawatts. These projects contribute to a regional wind power peak that reached 2,400 megawatts last Friday, setting a new record for the area.

The path to full operation was marked by legal and political friction. The second Trump administration’s Interior Department ordered construction to stop twice, in August 2025 and December 2025, citing unspecified national security concerns. These orders disrupted work, costing Ørsted money and leaving hundreds of workers idle. In both instances, federal judges ruled in favor of the developer, allowing construction to resume. The administration has also sought to reevaluate a key permit issued during the Biden administration, a case currently pending in court.

Katie Segal, senior director of offshore wind for the Environmental League of Massachusetts, described the milestone as a major moment for the region. She noted that the project faced frequent opposition from the current administration. Segal expressed optimism regarding the pending permit case, stating that courts have consistently rejected the administration’s legal arguments in previous offshore wind disputes.

Anxhela Mile, a staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation, emphasized the climate benefits of the technology. She stated that offshore wind helps displace fossil fuel power sources and reduces carbon pollution, which safeguards residents against climate impacts such as severe storms and flooding. The waters off the New England coast are known for strong and consistent winds, making the location ideal for such installations.

Revolution Wind has contracts to supply power to Connecticut and Rhode Island. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the project is expected to save ratepayers across New England approximately $500 million annually by 2028. The facility began sending electricity to the grid in March. It is projected to meet 5% of Connecticut’s total electricity demand and 20% of Rhode Island’s demand.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, posted on X that the project marks the beginning of a new electricity era. He noted that fuel costs are climbing, making the completion of the project timely. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, also a Democrat, called the achievement a major win for the state’s workforce and energy future.

Ørsted invested $120 million to redevelop ports in Connecticut and Rhode Island that supported the project. The company expects these ports to support future offshore wind initiatives. In nearby waters, another Ørsted project, Sunrise Wind, has finished installing foundations for its 924-megawatt wind farm. The company plans to complete that project next year and begin sending power to Long Island.

Not all stakeholders view the milestone positively. Michael Lombardi, president of the nonprofit Green Oceans, said in an email that the project negatively impacts fishermen and the environment. His group supports the administration’s request to reevaluate the operations permit.