A new offshore wind farm in the US marks the turning point for offshore wind energy. Ramboll will as leader of a consortium with U.S. based companies design the foundations for the Cape Wind Offshore Wind Farm. The consortium expects more US offshore wind projects to be on the way.
America’s first offshore wind farm will also be one of the world’s largest. With its 130 offshore wind turbines, each with a 3.6 megawatt capacity, Cape Wind Offshore Wind Farm will be situated off Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts on the US east coast. When completed, the turbines will be able to produce electrical power for up to 500,000 households.
Fair winds for offshore wind investments
Concerns about how the turbines would impact the local environment have for years held off investments in offshore wind farms in the US. The turning point came when the Obama administration, based on thorough analysis, in March of this year marked several areas along the American east coast to be leased for offshore wind purposes. Alongside the fluctuating energy prices and the need for a stable energy supply, this kick-started a series of offshore wind projects, with Cape Wind in Massachusetts as the first.
An opportunity for offshore wind experts
Ramboll is leading the team of consultants that is designing the foundations for this, the first US offshore wind project. According to Director of Offshore Wind in Ramboll, Klaus Jacob Jensen, this breakthrough holds great potential for the wind industry as a whole.
“Cape Wind is likely to spearhead several other projects in the US. That could potentially benefit the entire industry and also lead to the creation of new jobs,” says Klaus Jacob Jensen .
According to Managing Principal of Keystone Engineering Inc. , Rudolph A. Hall , the project provides great potential for US offshore wind experts.
“Building Cape Wind will help establish the domestic expertise and supply chain that will be required to expand the United States’ offshore wind industry. The knowledge gained from the Cape Wind project will be of benefit to all stakeholders in the future of US offshore wind power.”
The Cape Wind Offshore Wind Farm is expected to be ready for use by 2015.
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Offshore WIND staff, May 28, 2012; Image: Ramboll