The 704-megawatt Revolution Wind farm off Rhode Island is now fully operational, developer Ørsted confirmed on its Nov. 5 investor call, completing a project that federal regulators twice ordered to stop work. Its 65 turbines can generate enough electricity for about 350,000 homes and businesses in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The milestone came days after New England set a regional wind record. Wind power peaked at 2,400 megawatts on Friday, Oct. 30, WBUR reported, citing GridStatus data. Vineyard Wind, off Massachusetts, also reached full commercial operation on Oct. 29.

For electricity customers, the question is cost. Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection estimates Revolution Wind will save ratepayers across New England about $500 million a year by 2028. A legal fight over the project's federal permit is still pending, so its long-term status is not fully settled.

A Project That Survived Two Federal Shutdowns

Construction began in 2023, and the project was about 80 percent complete in August 2025 when the Interior Department issued its first stop-work order, citing national security concerns, The Maritime Executive reported. A federal court granted a preliminary injunction in late September 2025 that allowed work to resume.

Interior issued a second stop-work order at the end of 2025. A federal court granted another preliminary injunction in mid-January 2026, and construction restarted. Administration officials had cited possible interference with military radar, POWER Magazine reported, but federal judges rejected those arguments in multiple cases.

The dispute is not over — and the next ruling could matter for every U.S. offshore project. In October, the Justice and Interior departments asked U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to send the project's 2023 construction and operations plan approval back to the agency for review. That request was pending as of early November. Lamberth has twice sided with the developers.

The stoppages cost Ørsted significant money and kept hundreds of workers off the job, WBUR reported. Ørsted says more than 1,000 union workers built the project and that it invested $120 million in port redevelopment in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Power for 350,000 Homes and a Record Windy Friday

Revolution Wind sits more than 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast. Its 65 Siemens Gamesa 11-megawatt turbines were installed between September 2024 and September 2026, and the project began sending power to the grid in March, according to offshoreWIND.biz. Rhode Island buys 400 megawatts and Connecticut 304 megawatts under 20-year contracts.

The project is expected to supply about 20 percent of Rhode Island's electricity demand and about 5 percent of Connecticut's, WBUR reported. Total investment exceeded $6 billion.

New England's wind fleet has grown quickly this year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that regional wind generation in the first nine months of 2026 was about 68 percent higher than the same period in 2025, and already exceeded all of 2025's output, according to the EIA. Wind is variable, so record days depend on weather as well as capacity.

Revolution Wind is now one of three large commercial-scale U.S. offshore wind farms in full operation, alongside Vineyard Wind and New York's South Fork Wind. The smaller Block Island Wind Farm has operated off Rhode Island since 2016.

Supporters and Critics Size Up the Finish

Supporters framed the milestone as a turning point. "This is a huge moment for the region and for offshore wind," said Katie Segal, senior director of offshore wind at the Environmental League of Massachusetts. Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee called it "a major win for Rhode Island's workforce and our state's energy future."

Utilities emphasized demand. Eversource spokesman William Hinkle said the project delivers "much-needed new energy generation to customers at a time when demand is rising," POWER Magazine reported. New England's annual electricity use is projected to grow as heating and transportation electrify.

Environmental advocates linked the project to state climate targets. "Offshore wind is crucial for the region meeting its climate and clean energy goals," said Anxhela Mile, a staff attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote on X that "Today marks the beginning of a new electricity era."

Opponents remain active. Michael Lombardi, president of Green Oceans, a nonprofit that opposes offshore wind, said the project harms fishermen and the marine environment and supports the administration's request to reevaluate its permit. Fishing groups have long raised concerns about access to traditional grounds, and federal approvals include monitoring requirements for marine mammals and fisheries.

Those concerns deserve continued scrutiny through monitoring data rather than assumption. Federal approvals for the project include marine monitoring requirements, and those results will be key to assessing how the turbines affect fishing grounds and wildlife over time.

Lower Bills Depend on the Courts and the Grid

For households, the payoff is indirect — but potentially significant. Offshore wind produces the most power in winter, when New England's grid leans heavily on natural gas and imported fuels. More wind supply during cold snaps can reduce the need for expensive peak generation, which is part of how Connecticut regulators reached their savings estimate.

That estimate is a projection, not a guarantee, and it depends on fuel prices, demand, and how much wind blows. Ratepayers will see the effect gradually through wholesale prices rather than as a line item on their bills.

The next developments to watch are Judge Lamberth's decision on the permit remand, Ørsted's 924-megawatt Sunrise Wind off New York, and winter grid performance reports from ISO New England. Sunrise Wind is about 60 percent complete, with all foundations and 31 turbines installed, and is expected to begin commercial operation in the second half of 2027.

What Readers Want to Know

What is Revolution Wind? A 704-megawatt offshore wind farm with 65 turbines more than 15 miles south of Rhode Island, owned by Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables.

Who gets the power? Rhode Island buys 400 megawatts and Connecticut 304 megawatts under 20-year contracts, enough for about 350,000 homes and businesses.

Why was construction stopped? The Interior Department issued stop-work orders in August 2025 and at the end of 2025, citing national security concerns. Federal courts allowed work to resume both times.

Is the legal fight over? No. The federal government has asked a judge to send the project's permit back for review, and that request is pending.

Will it lower electricity bills? Connecticut regulators estimate about $500 million in annual savings for New England ratepayers by 2028, but that is a projection that depends on fuel prices and demand.

What was the Oct. 30 record? New England wind power peaked at 2,400 megawatts, a regional record, according to GridStatus data reported by WBUR.