Which renewable-energy project was the first offshore wind farm in the United States?

Block Island Wind Farm was the first offshore wind farm in the United States.

The five-turbine project is located about three miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. It began commercial operation in 2016 and has a total capacity of 30 megawatts. The project replaced diesel-generated electricity on the island and connected Block Island to the mainland grid through an undersea cable.

Block Island is notable because it was the first completed U.S. offshore wind project, not because it is the country’s largest. Later projects, including South Fork Wind and Vineyard Wind, use larger turbines and provide substantially more capacity.

The project helped demonstrate the engineering and permitting requirements for U.S. offshore wind. Construction required specialized marine vessels, subsea cables, foundations, and coordination with fisheries and navigation interests. Its completion marked a major step for an industry long discussed in the United States.