Promises Made, Promises Kept: New Data Confirms South Fork Wind Delivering Clean, Reliable, and Affordable Power for Long Island

Melville, NY – Environmental leaders, labor representatives, and energy stakeholders gathered today to mark Earth Week with the release of new performance data from the South Fork Wind Farm—America’s first commercial-scale offshore wind project—confirming it is delivering reliable, cost-effective, and clean energy to Long Island.

Located 35 miles off East Hampton, South Fork Wind is now fully operational and generating enough electricity to power approximately 70,000 homes. New data from its first year of operation shows the project is exceeding expectations—providing consistent power, stabilizing energy costs, and performing strongly during periods of peak demand.  The first-year report shows South Fork Wind Farm delivering energy to the grid over 90% of all days and realizing a capacity factor of over 50%.  The most efficient fossil fuel power plant in New York has a capacity factor of 53%.  The power generated by South Fork Wind immensely helped to stabilize electric costs this winter when natural gas prices surged.  Wind power costs are determined by a 20 year power purchase agreement and are not subject to geopolitical circumstances and therefore the cost remains stable.

WATCH THE FULL PRESS EVENT HERE

Carrie Meek Gallagher, President and CEO of the Long Island Power Authority, emphasized the project’s role in the region’s energy future:

“Today’s Earth Week celebration of South Fork Wind’s success was an opportunity to recognize the many people who were committed to bringing this project from concept to full commercial operation, and to share all the ways it has benefited Long Islanders. As an important asset in LIPA’s power supply mix, it delivers reliable, clean power to our communities and has demonstrated the importance of including offshore wind in Long Island’s energy future.”

Speakers at today’s event underscored that South Fork Wind is not just operational—it is delivering measurable results.

“Today marks an important day, to highlight some good news about offshore wind, it's working! America's first offshore wind farm is up, running and delivering! And today we have the data to prove it!”

Alicia Artessa, Esq., Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance, highlighted the project’s performance and long-term implications:

“South Fork Wind is delivering clean, reliable energy to Long Island every day—and saving ratepayers money to boot. As the United States' first commercial scale offshore wind project, South Fork Wind is proving clean energy is capable of powering New York. With strong, consistent winds off our coast, we now have the data to back up our past predictions: offshore wind is a dependable energy source that will decarbonize New York's grid.”

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, highlighted the data behind the project’s success:

“The first year of performance for South Fork Wind is a win for our environment, our wallets, and the public. We are thrilled that it is performing even better than expected. Although offshore wind originally generated some concerns, myths, and misinformation, we now have the facts and science verifying the successful performance of this renewable technology. South Fork Wind provided energy 90–99% of the time and was cheaper than natural gas or oil during this past winter, saving ratepayers money. Offshore wind gives us cleaner air, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and protects public health. This is a success story for Long Island and America.”

Billy Haugland Jr., CEO of Haugland Group LLC, framed the project as a model for future infrastructure:

“To us, offshore wind is what progress looks like when values are aligned—reliability, affordability, economic growth, and environmental stewardship working together. It’s proof that we don’t have to choose between what’s good for the planet and what’s good for our economy or our people—we can and should do all three.”

Labor leaders pointed to the economic benefits and workforce impact. John Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said:

“South Fork Wind is proof that when we make responsible investments in our energy future, we deliver real results for working people. It created thousands of family-sustaining union jobs, is generating reliable, clean power, and helps stabilize energy costs for Long Islanders. Offshore wind is an environmental win, and an economic win that strengthens our grid, and supports our workforce.”

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, emphasized the project’s real-time benefits:

“Offshore wind is no longer just a promise – it’s delivering real-world results for New Yorkers right now. South Fork Wind is helping keep the lights on during extreme weather, stabilizing energy costs, and cutting pollution, all while supporting jobs and healthier communities. We’re grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in making projects like this possible and for her continued commitment to building a cleaner, more reliable energy system.”

Esther Rosario, Executive Director of Climate Jobs NY, reinforced the need to build on this progress:

“South Fork Wind shows what it looks like when New York delivers on its commitments. This project generates clean power for 70,000 Long Island homes while demonstrating how we can build the infrastructure we need, create good union jobs, and strengthen our grid all at once. With strong performance when energy demand is high, and benefits for working people, this is the kind of progress New York needs. Now we need to stay the course, because offshore wind is essential to keeping costs stable, keeping the lights on, and building a reliable, affordable clean energy future for all New Yorkers.”

Melissa Parrott, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island (reLI), emphasized the local impact:

“South Fork Wind is generating energy to 70,000 homes on Long Island, it's saving families money and protecting not only environmental health, but human health by generating clean air by a renewable resource—wind. Everybody wins!”

Today’s event marked the kickoff of Earth Week and underscored a clear conclusion: offshore wind is not theoretical—it is operational, reliable, and delivering for New Yorkers today.