NY Conditionally Approves 2 Offshore Wind Farm Projects For Long Island

LONG ISLAND, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul today announced Thursday that the state has conditionally awarded two offshore wind projects from its fourth offshore wind solicitation, including Equinor's 810-megawatt project, Empire Wind 1 off of Jones Beach, and Ørsted and Eversource's Sunrise Wind, a 924-megawatt project planned of Smith Point County Park in Shirley.

The competitively selected projects will create more than 800 near-term family-sustaining construction jobs and invest $2 billion in near-term enhanced economic development statewide, including developer-committed investments to support disadvantaged communities, Hochul's office said.

The projects, which amount to over 1,700 megawatts of clean energy, will be the largest power generation projects in New York in over 35 years once they begin operating in 2026, and they will continue progress towards achievement of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.

Empire Wind I and Sunrise Wind have already completed most federal and state permitting milestones, including Empire Wind I receiving final approval of their Construction and Operations plan from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last week, officials said.

Both projects are expected to ramp up construction activity this year while driving local investments and enhanced economic benefits to New York State at cost-competitive rates, according to state officials.

The approvals are conditional on successful contract execution, officials said.

Combined the two projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over three million metric tons annually, which is the equivalent annual emissions of over 740,000 cars, and usher in the construction and operation of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal assembly and staging port, jump-starting over 400 construction jobs in 2024 to transform the currently inactive 70-acre waterfront site in a disadvantaged community into a thriving offshore wind port.

The projects are also expected to help with the investment of more than $80 million in construction and manufacturing associated with advanced foundation components at the Port of Coeymans.

They are expected to help continue to make investments totaling $135 million in electric grid infrastructure on Long Island and $200 million in transmission-related investments, backed by a Project Labor Agreement with Long Island skilled tradesmen and women, including heavy equipment operators, electricians, and line workers.

The projects will help provide public health benefits resulting from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants, including fewer episodes of illness and premature death, fewer days of missed school or work, less disruption of business, and lower health care costs.

They are also expected to deliver a host of benefits in line with Climate Act goals, with over $1 billion invested in disadvantaged communities, $117 million supporting minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, and over $43 million in workforce development investments.
Hochul said she promised "to make New York a place for the renewable energy industry to do business, and we are delivering on that promise."

“Offshore wind is foundational to our fight against climate change, and these awards demonstrate our national leadership to advance a zero-emissions electric grid at the best value to New Yorkers," she said.

NY State Energey and Research and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Doreen Harris said she is "incredibly proud of of her team’s demonstrated ability to rapidly respond to market challenges by expertly executing on this expedited solicitation in a manner that ensured competition, a robust evaluation process and yielded a cost that is competitive in today’s market."

"We are excited to see Equinor and Orsted and Eversource step up now and get these projects energized in the near term," she said. "Today’s announcement further demonstrates Governor Hochul’s leadership in renewable energy and New York State’s commitment to partnering with companies who will deliver clean offshore wind power, create jobs for future generations, and develop critical port infrastructure at the same time.”

Molly Morris, president of Equinor Renewables America, called it a "promising new beginning for Empire Wind and we’re ready to get started."

“We commend the Hochul Administration and NYSERDA for their strong commitment to offshore wind," she said. "Now it’s time to deliver a major renewable energy project that will power half a million homes and generate thousands of jobs. Empire Wind 1 will create value for New Yorkers and for investors for years to come. We have a highly experienced organization in place and will continue to engage closely with the community as we prepare to break ground at SBMT.”

David Hardy, chief executive officer of the Americas at Ørsted, said that with the selection of Sunrise Wind, New York’s offshore wind story is set to enter a new chapter of large-scale job creation and economic development, and we thank Governor Hochul and her administration for their continued leadership."

“We’re ready to build on the foundation we’ve laid with New York’s first offshore wind project, South Fork Wind, while delivering significantly more jobs, local supply chain and community investments, and renewable power for New Yorkers," he added.

Eversource Energy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Nolan said staffers are grateful for the Hochul Administration’s support of the state’s offshore wind industry and their selection of our updated Sunrise Wind project.

“Sunrise Wind is another major step forward for our shared clean energy future and will deliver significant new investments to New York State, including the creation of hundreds of local union jobs building the project’s onshore transmission system," he said. "We’re excited to get shovels in the ground and begin the full scope of onshore construction.”