Offshore wind energy projects continue to progress in the waters south of the Vineyard, with two new wind farms approved and construction starting on a third.  

Revolution Wind reported “steel-in-the-water” in an area about 12 miles southwest of Aquinnah. This project was approved last August by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Headed by Orsted and Eversource, the wind farm is planned to have up to 65 turbines and generate power for Rhode Island and Connecticut.  

The company estimated it would start operating the project in 2025. The turbines will be visible from Aquinnah and the town will receive mitigation money.  

Revolution Wind will be joined by New England Wind and Sunrise Wind, a pair of projects that recently were approved by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.  

The New England Wind project’s construction plan for 129 turbines was approved by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on July 1. Construction is expected to start in 2025, with full operation beginning by 2029, according to the company. Power will make landfall in Barnstable and Bristol County. 

Turbines from this project will be able to be seen in Edgartown and Aquinnah, with the project located 20 nautical miles south of the Island.   

Sunrise Wind, scheduled to provide power to New York homes, also received full federal approval on June 21 to start construction. This project is located approximately 16 nautical miles south of the Island. Construction is expected to begin later this year.  

Sunrise Wind is expected to provide 924 megawatts of energy, powering around 600,000 homes in New York, helping the state achieve the state’s mandate of 70 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. 

While the rest of the turbines get their plans in order, Vineyard Wind continues to build its 62-planned turbines. The project now has 10 turbines about 14 miles off the Vineyard coast sending power to the New England grid, making it the largest operating offshore wind farm in the country.  

The 10 turbines are delivering about 136 megawatts to the grid, according to parent company Avangrid – enough to power about 64,000 homes.  

“Our Vineyard Wind 1 project continues to demonstrate the significant benefits that offshore wind offers the New England region, delivering well-paying union jobs, local investment, and clean energy that is helping Massachusetts meet its growing demand for electricity,” Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra said in a statement.