NEW SHOREHAM, R.I. – Construction on the nation’s first offshore wind farm is in its final phases.

Deepwater Wind’s five-turbine wind farm off Block Island, Rhode Island, is expected to be operational this fall.

An offshore wind turbine under construction at the Block Island Wind Farm near Block Island, Rhode Island. Courtesy of Deepwater Wind

Crews at the site are working on the tower sections for the fourth turbine this week. They’ll begin working on the blades in the coming days, then the tower sections for the fifth, and final, turbine.

The $300 million project is expected to power about 17,000 homes.

Developers, federal regulators and industry experts say the opening will pave the way for the construction of many more wind farms that will eventually provide power for many Americans.

Deepwater Wind says it proves that wind farms can be built along the nation’s coast.