This bodes well for Rhode Island, by far the smallest state in North America but very much the leading voice when it comes to championing efforts to bring meaningful progress to the US Offshore Wind market.

Most notably, Rhode Island currently operates the first (and only) offshore wind farm in the country, the Block Island Wind Farm. That alone is an achievement, but is not the only industry first that the state can claim to in the US: It was the first state to create a marine spatial management plan, which proved highly beneficial for expediting the permitting for the wind farm; it was the first state to develop a high school certificate program in offshore wind; it was the first state to use its ports to stage the logistical phases of offshore wind farm construction; and it was the first state to open, in partnership with Ørsted, a dedicated innovation hub for breakthrough offshore wind technologies. Even in the broader context of renewable energy, Rhode Island is one of the most energy-efficient states in the US and has set its sights on moving towards a power grid fueled entirely on renewable energy. Make no mistake about it, Rhode Island is a force to be reckoned with.

So, as Offshore Source began its research into the current prospects for US offshore wind in 2020, it soon became apparent that all roads lead to Rhode Island. And not just because of the Block Island Wind Farm, or the state’s +25GW wind potential for that matter. Nor is it on account of the many lessons learned along the way. All important, granted, but the real story of Rhode Island’s rise to prominence in offshore wind is that of the many people and organizations harnessing the winds of change.

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