Seeing South Fork Wind Up Close: Why Offshore Wind Matters for Long Island

Last week, reLI Executive Director Melissa Parrott had the opportunity to travel offshore and see South Fork Wind up close during an educational boat tour hosted by the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA). The tour offered a firsthand look at America's first utility-scale offshore wind farm and highlighted the important role offshore wind is already playing in powering Long Island with clean electricity.

Seeing the turbines from the water was a powerful reminder that clean energy isn't a future concept, it's already here.

What is South Fork Wind?

Located about 35 nautical miles east of Montauk, South Fork Wind consists of 12 offshore wind turbines with a total generating capacity of 132 megawatts (MW). The project entered full commercial operation in 2024, making it the first utility-scale offshore wind farm operating in the United States. It generates enough clean electricity to power approximately 70,000 Long Island homes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while helping meet the region's growing electricity demand.

Electricity generated offshore is transmitted to Long Island through undersea cables and delivered to the electric grid, providing reliable power to homes and businesses.

Why Long Island Needs Offshore Wind

Long Island faces unique energy challenges. We have limited space to build large renewable energy projects on land, while our demand for electricity continues to grow, especially during hot summer days when air conditioners are running around the clock.

For decades, much of that demand has been met by aging fossil fuel power plants. These plants release greenhouse gases and other air pollutants that contribute to climate change and can negatively impact public health.

Offshore wind offers a cleaner alternative. Strong and consistent winds off the Atlantic coast make the ocean one of New York's best renewable energy resources. By generating electricity without burning fossil fuels, offshore wind helps reduce emissions, diversify our energy supply, and strengthen the reliability of our electric grid.

As electricity demand continues to increase, from electric vehicles, building electrification, and new technologies, we'll need more sources of clean energy to keep up. Recent periods of extreme heat across the United States have also demonstrated that renewable energy, together with energy storage and grid improvements, can play an increasingly important role in maintaining reliable electricity service during times of high demand.

Thank you to the New York Offshore Wind Alliance and all of the partners who made this educational tour possible. Opportunities like these help deepen our understanding of how offshore wind works and why it is an important part of building a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Long Island.

Melissa with Legislator Welker, Legislator Richberg and Dr. Rebecca Grella STEM Science Coordinator for Brentwood School District!