Sussex County Council voted 4-1 to deny a conditional-use request for a substation near the Indian River power plant that would serve as a grid connector from US Wind’s recently approved offshore wind farm.

Renewable Redevelopment LLC, a subsidiary of US Wind, filed the application. In December 2023, US Wind purchased 140 acres of land next to the Indian River power plant for $20 million. Since then, it has gained approval from the federal government and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for its plan.

The Maryland-based company wants to construct up to 121 wind turbine generators, up to four offshore substations, up to four offshore export cables and one meteorological tower in ocean waters due east of Ocean City, Md. The offshore export cables are proposed to land at 3R’s Beach, north of Bethany Beach, and interconnect into a proposed substation that would be constructed on land adjacent to the Indian River power plant.

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Read the Friday, Dec. 20 edition for a full story, including comments from members of Sussex County Council, US Wind and environmental groups.