Revolution Wind, a 65-Turbine Powerhouse, Reaches Full Capacity
Ørsted announced Thursday that the Revolution Wind farm, standing 15 miles east of Block Island, is now fully operational. The 65-turbine project began delivering electricity to the grid in March and is now generating enough power for more than 350,000 homes and businesses in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Gov. Ned Lamont called the achievement a milestone. “Revolution Wind will help to lower utility costs for families and businesses, improve the reliability of our grid, and provide clean electricity that will power 350,000 homes,” he said.
A Winter Powerhouse for the Region
While the turbines will spin year-round, Ørsted noted the wind farm’s output is expected to be strongest during the winter months. This timing is crucial for New England, where electricity demand and prices tend to spike during the cold season.
A spokesperson for Rhode Island Energy provided further context on the project’s economic impact. Under the existing contract, Revolution Wind energy is being delivered at approximately 9.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, helping to support reliability and affordability for our customers.
The exact impact on customers’ energy bills won’t be known until early 2027, but the utility provider is offering immediate relief. Rhode Island Energy confirmed that electric customers will receive an estimated $14 monthly credit between October 2026 and 2027, while natural gas customers will get an estimated $51 monthly credit between December 2026 and April 2027.
From Pause to Power: A Legal and Political Journey
The path to full operation was not without obstacles. The project faced legal and political challenges after the Trump administration temporarily suspended its lease last year, citing security risks identified by the Pentagon. As reported by WPRI, Revolution Wind and four other offshore wind projects were the targets of this suspension.
In response, Revolution Wind filed a lawsuit, calling the suspension arbitrary and capricious, and a judge allowed construction to resume a month later. However, the project’s future remained uncertain. Just last month, the Trump administration renewed efforts to kill the project in court.
Despite these challenges, construction ultimately continued, with the project receiving strong support from state leaders. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee marked the wind farm’s milestone on Thursday, highlighting the project’s benefits. “Helping bring this project to completion has been a highlight of my administration, from the good-paying jobs it has created for hardworking union workers to our successful work to protect it from interference by the Trump administration,” McKee said. “This project reflects our commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy and to supporting investments that create opportunities for Rhode Islanders.”
A Modest but Meaningful Share of the Grid
The project’s scale makes it a meaningful contributor to the region’s energy portfolio. According to Lamont’s office, Revolution Wind will supply enough electricity to about 2.5% of New England’s electricity supply.
While that may seem like a modest fraction, it is a step toward diversifying the grid with a clean, renewable source that is most potent when the region needs it most.
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