Local construction starts for Block Island Wind Farm

 By: Melissa Randall
mrandall@abc6.com
@MRandallABC6  

Sparks are flying at Specialty Diving Services in Quonset. Trained welders are creating some of the components that will eventually become part of the Block Island wind farm.

“It’s the first real local physical activity for the project so it’s a really exciting moment,” said Jeff Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind.

Right now there are no off shore wind farms in the United States. Deepwater wind is working to make Block Island‘s the first. The $290 million project is creating a brand new industry.

“It’s my hope that it does proliferate throughout the New England area and if this does go its going to be on the eastern seaboard because of the wind,” said Nicholas Tanionos, Pres., of Specialty Diving Services.

Construction of the five 600 foot turbines towers will put about 330 Rhode Islanders to work.

“We’ve got people running vessels. We’ve got obviously the welders who are here today. We’ve got electricians– lots of different people who will touch this project in one way or another,” said Grybowski.

Steel is expected to be in the water of the coast of Block Island by this summer, but opponents want the project abandoned. Robert Shields, President of Deepwater Resistance, says the cost is too high and the technology already outdated.

“There’s no chance that any state that is serious about controlling costs of energy would actually approve a wind energy project today,” said Shields.

At Quonset point it’s full speed ahead. Once up and running the Block Island wind farm will supply about 17,000 homes with renewable energy.

Deepwater Wind’s CEO recognizes the timeline to get everything up and running is tight, but expects the turbines to be functional by late next year.

© WLNE-TV 2015