Deepwater Wind awarded a contract to Alstom in February 2014 and the NTP marks final contractual approval to proceed on engineering and manufacturing of the project.
Alstom will supply, install and commission five Haliade 150 turbines and operate the farm for 15 years.
The turbines, capable of producing approximately 125,000 MWh of electricity annually, will provide about 90% of Block Island’s power needs, the company said.
The Block Island wind farm will be located at about three miles off the coast.
Deepwater Wind Block Island, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deepwater Wind, has recently secured financing for the wind farm, which is expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Alstom Wind senior vice-president Yves Rannou said: "This is a major milestone and the confirmation that this project, the first commercial offshore project in the United States for Alstom, will now materialize."
Alstom said that wind turbine, foundation and electrical interface engineering are being carried out on schedule to meet project specifications including installation of the five foundations this year.
Image: The Block Island offshore wind farm will feature five of Alstom’s 6MW Haliade 150 turbines. Photo: courtesy of Alstom.
