Construction Starts on South Fork Wind Farm

Construction on the South Fork Wind Farm, consisting of twelve planned turbines off the coast of Montauk, started on February 11 in Wainscott amid opposition from local residents. The wind farm, when complete in 2023, will provide 130 MW of electricity, enough to power 70,000 homes on Long Island.

At the ground-breaking ceremony on February 11, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and other prominent officials met for a ceremonial first shovel to commemorate the start of the project.

The wind farm will assist in New York State’s ambitious target of carbon-neutral electricity by 2040. It will also help the Town of East Hampton achieve its 100 percent renewable energy goal.

Construction has also begun on a maintenance vessel which will be able to service the wind farm.

However, this project was met with heavy opposition from Wainscott residents. The local group Citizens for the Preservation of Wainscott filed a motion in the New York state courts to halt the construction. This motion was not successful, however, their opposition to the wind farm continues. They state that the landing of the power line on Wainscott Beach “will permanently alter an already fragile, eroding beach and community.” They state that the landing of the power line should be built elsewhere.

Orsted, the main developer of the wind farm, has stated that the wind turbines will be thirty-five miles from Montauk Point, out of sight from beaches on Long Island.

Recently, another suit was filed by four citizens for a restraining order on the excavation, stating that it “will likely threaten public and private water wells.” The developers of the wind farm have stated that protocols will be followed to ensure groundwater safety.

Fishermen have also raised opposition to the project. The Fishermen’s Advisory Board in Rhode Island was offered compensation of between $5.2 million to $12 million. The wind farm will be 15 miles from Block Island near Rhode Island. According to a study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, there are estimated losses in the fishing industry between $15 million to $40.4 million. Tom Sproul, a University of Rhode Island economist, states that the noise of the construction will result in heavy impacts to marine life, which in turn, negatively impacts the fishing industry.

Cox Ledge, the location where the wind farm is planned, is a prime fishing ground containing a vast diversity of aquatic life. However, some fishermen support the project. Dave Monti of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association stated that the turbine bases of the Block Island Wind Farm were actually beneficial to marine life. He states that the turbines “acted like a fish magnet” and were great for recreational fishing.

The South Fork Wind Farm was granted federal approval in December 2021. It falls in line with President Biden’s goal of generating 30 gigawatts of wind power by 2030.