The first offshore wind farm in the nation, located just three miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island, and east of Long Island, New York, is set to enter the final phase of building next week.

R.I. Governor Gina Raimondo, clean energy advocates and several local leaders gathered at the Port of Providence July 25 to recognize the project, reported The News & Advance. Celebrating the final stage of construction, the governor noted the leadership of the state in the offshore wind industry and its positive impact on the economy.

Anticipated to begin operation as early as this fall, the five-turbine wind farm constructed by Deepwater Wind is forecast to deliver power to 17,000 homes.

Emerging as a leader in the clean energy sector, the Block Island project is predicted to save local residents as much as 40 percent on their energy bills, according to a press release from Environmental America. Moreover, it will decrease the emissions of carbon dioxide by the equivalent of removing 150,000 cars from the road by 2036.

“We’re poised to tap the tremendous energy resource provided by the winds that blow off our shores,” said Rob Sargent, Energy Program director at Environment America. “Rhode Island deserves tremendous credit for being the first, but it certainly won’t be the last.”

The wind farm is also expected to provide 300 jobs.