Rhode Island’s First Offshore Wind Farm to Begin Construction in 2010
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 
on 01. 8.09
photo: Martin Pettitt
Just a quick update to a post from back in September. At that time we reported that Deepwater Wind was planning an offshore wind farm in Rhode Island but didn’t provide many details. Well, the location still has yet to be determined, but we can bring you a bit more on the project, which is expected to generate about 15% of the state’s electric needs (we already knew that part...). Here's what we know:
Two Phases, First to be Completed by 2012
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2010, and be done in two phases; the first of which, with a capacity of 20 MW is expected to be completed in 2012. The second phase will begin at unspecified point thereafter, be done in federal waters, and when fully completed be capable of producing up to 1.3 million MWh of electricity annually. This phase is expected to be completed within three years of approval of the Department of Interior.
Total cost for the project is expected to be more than $1.5 billion.
via: Reuters
Wind Power
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That's actually a lot cheaper than I would have expected. 1.3 million kWh annually works out to an average output of 1.5 GW. At $1.5 billion to build, that is just $1/watt. At current average electricity prices here in the Northeast, it'll pay for itself in 1 year (not accounting for maintenance costs).
Any estimates on how much it will cost to maintain it all?
My calcs:
Average output 150 MW from 300MW peak system gives capacity factor of 0.5 - must be good wind site.
Using 10% cost of capital, electricity will cost 115 $/MWh over double the cost of coal fired electricity.
Offshore wind is a necessary technology for our future energy economy. However, there is a lot to be done before this or any significant project can get underway, let alone to the point of producing utility-scale power. Even for what appears to be merely a demo phase, without an identified site the likelihood of construction beginning in 2010 is remote. Collecting on-site wind data with a mast takes a minimum of a year all by itself, and proper environmental studies also take time. Doubtless there will also be opponents of the project. Even discounting the length of the Cape WInd process, permitting will likely take years. The article implies the first phase will be within the 3-mile state limit, avoiding the MMS-FERC contretemps, but would still require a FERC pilot license. Financing for any project in this economy is also problematic.
I hope that Deepwater succeeds with the project, but, until there is a history of built projects in the US, expectations of timelines (and the highly optimistic projected costs) must be tempered with realism.