A wind energy company is mapping the seafloor off the Rhode Island coast in preparation for building an offshore wind farm.
Deepwater Wind says it began a monthlong survey of the seafloor this week to find the best locations for wind turbines and the transmission line that will bring power to the mainland. The survey will involve several vessels equipped with high-tech sensors used to create a 3D map of the ocean floor.
The company wants to build a small-scale 30-megawatt wind farm off the coast of Block Island. Deepwater plans to formally submit its proposal to state and federal regulators next year.
Deepwater hopes to follow up on the smaller wind farm development with a much large 1,000-megawatt wind farm, also located off the coast of the Ocean State.
