The Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts has become the first large-scale offshore wind farm to reach full power in the United States. The 65-turbine facility can generate 704 megawatts, enough to power an estimated 350,000 homes.
Developed by Danish energy company Ørsted, the project is expected to meet 5 percent of Connecticut’s electricity demand and 20 percent of Rhode Island’s, with contracts in both states. The company said it will help strengthen the region’s supply of affordable, reliable energy.
“This is a huge moment for the region and for offshore wind,” said Katie Segal, senior director of offshore wind for the Environmental League of Massachusetts. She noted that the project had been a frequent target of the second Trump administration. The Interior Department twice said construction needed to stop over unspecified national security concerns, disrupting work. Federal judges twice ruled the developer could resume construction. “I think the courts have shown time and time again that the administration and its supporters have a very weak legal argument when it comes to this process,” Segal said.
“Offshore wind is crucial for the region meeting its climate and clean energy goals,” said Anxhela Mile, a staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation. She added that it could help reduce carbon pollution and safeguard residents against climate impacts.
According to Ørsted, more than 1,000 union workers built the project, which included $120 million in port investments. According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the wind farm is expected to save New England ratepayers about $500 million annually by 2028.
Not everyone is celebrating. Michael Lombardi, president of Green Oceans, a nonprofit that opposes offshore wind, said the project has a negative impact on fishermen and the environment. He said his group supports the Trump administration’s request to re-evaluate the project’s operations permit.
Senator Richard Blumenthal said the project marks “the beginning of a new electricity era,” and Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee called it “a major win for Rhode Island’s workforce and our state’s energy future.”
Other offshore wind projects in the region are making progress. Vineyard Wind, with 62 turbines built, is nearing full power. Sunrise Wind, another Ørsted project, has installed foundations for its 924-megawatt farm, and Ørsted expects it to be completed sometime next year. Last Friday, wind power in New England peaked at 2,400 megawatts, breaking a record for the region.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Revolution Wind is the first large-scale offshore wind farm to become fully operational in the US, a milestone for the industry.
- The project overcame repeated opposition from the Trump administration, demonstrating legal and regulatory resilience.
- It is expected to lower electricity costs for New England ratepayers and provide significant clean energy.
Background
- The US offshore wind sector has been slow to develop compared to Europe. Revolution Wind marks the first project of its scale to reach full power in the US. The Trump administration has consistently opposed offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns and seeking to revoke permits; federal courts have so far sided with developers.
Key Perspectives
Ørsted: Says the project will strengthen the region’s supply of affordable, reliable energy.
Environmental advocates (Katie Segal, Anxhela Mile): Celebrate the milestone as crucial for climate goals and argue that legal victories confirm the administration’s opposition lacks merit.
Michael Lombardi (Green Oceans): Opposes the project due to negative impacts on fishing and the environment, and supports the administration’s permit review.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, Governor Dan McKee: Praise the project for energy and economic benefits.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the Trump administration’s request to re-evaluate the project’s operations permit.
- The full-power declaration of Vineyard Wind and completion of Sunrise Wind.
- Continued legal battles and potential further executive actions against offshore wind.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRevolution Wind is the first large-scale US offshore wind farm to reach full power.WBUR News: “Revolution Wind is officially the first large-scale offshore wind project to be fully operational in the U.S.”
- SupportedThe 704-megawatt project is fully operational after Trump administration moves disrupted construction.WBUR News: “Revolution Wind is now the biggest New England offshore wind farm to get fully up and running. ... In both cases, the administration succeeded in disrupting work on the project”
- SupportedThe facility has 65 turbines and can generate 704 megawatts.WBUR News: “With 65 turbines, the project off the coast of Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts is capable of generating 704 megawatts”
- SupportedSegal said, “This is a huge moment for the region and for offshore wind.”WBUR News: “"This is a huge moment for the region and for offshore wind," said Katie Segal, senior director of offshore wind for the Environmental League of Massachusetts.”
- SupportedThe Interior Department twice said construction needed to stop over unspecified national security concerns, disrupting work.WBUR News: “First in August 2025 , and then again in December 2025 , the Interior Department said the project needed to stop construction because of unspecified national security concerns. In both cases, the administration succeeded in disrupting work on the project”
- SupportedFederal judges twice ruled the developer could resume construction.WBUR News: “but ultimately, federal judges ruled the developer could get back to building the wind farm.”
- SupportedSegal said, “I think the courts have shown time and time again that the administration and its supporters have a very weak legal argument when it comes to this process.”WBUR News: “" I think the courts have shown time and time again that the administration and its supporters have a very weak legal argument when it comes to this process," she said.”
- SupportedThe project is expected to meet 5 percent of Connecticut’s electricity demand.WBUR News: “is expected to meet 5% of Connecticut's overall electricity demand”
- SupportedThe project is expected to meet 20 percent of Rhode Island’s electricity demand.WBUR News: “and 20% of Rhode Island's demand.”
- SupportedMile said, “Offshore wind is crucial for the region meeting its climate and clean energy goals.”WBUR News: “"Offshore wind is crucial for the region meeting its climate and clean energy goals," since it can help displace polluting fossil fuel power sources, said Anxhela Mile, a staff attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation.”
- SupportedMile added that offshore wind could help reduce carbon pollution and safeguard residents against climate impacts.WBUR News: “It may also "help safeguard residents against climate impacts, like severe storms and flooding, by reducing the amount of carbon pollution in the atmosphere."”
- SupportedThe project is expected to save New England ratepayers about $500 million annually by 2028.WBUR News: “it's expected to save ratepayers across New England about $500 million annually by 2028”