1st U.S. offshore wind farm to begin production within days

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – There has been a hiccup at the nation’s first offshore wind farm as it prepares to start delivering power.

Deepwater Wind, which owns the five-turbine farm off Block Island, Rhode Island, says one turbine is not turning.

But a spokeswoman said Friday that will not delay the start-up and the other turbines will begin delivering power for the grid within days.

Meaghan Wims said the testing phase is complete and commercial operations can begin soon. She said the turbine’s generator was damaged by a drill bit left inside. She said it will be repaired and working “in the near term.”

The damage was first reported by ecoRI News.

Deepwater Wind planned to open the wind farm last month, but said it was still finalizing approvals.