New York doubles offshore wind commitments

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Jan. 13 two new state contracts to procure 2,490 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind from Equinor Wind U.S. (Stamford, Conn., U.S.) via the Empire Wind II and Beacon Wind projects, effectively doubling the state’s offshore wind power procurement and significantly growing the offshore wind industry in the U.S.

The announcement capped the state’s second offshore wind solicitation and brings the state’s total offshore wind procurement to 4,300 MW. As part of the bid, Equinor will invest in port upgrades at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to create a “world-class” staging and assembly facility and will make New York home to what is said will be the nation’s first offshore wind tower manufacturing facility at the port of Albany. Governor Cuomo’s office estimates that the contracts will create $8.9 billion in investment and create more than 5,200 jobs.

“This announcement continues the offshore wind industry’s strong growth trends that is being driven by bold state leadership. We applaud Governor Cuomo for his commitment to creating thousands of new jobs and providing clean renewable energy to hundreds of thousands of New York homes. Now is the time for the federal government to step up and support the progress seen in states all along the Atlantic Coast,” says Ross Gould, vice president for supply chain development and New York state director of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.

Under Governor Cuomo, it is reported that New York has been an offshore wind leader as the Governor committed the state to procure at least 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035, as part of the state mandate to source 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030. New York is not alone; states have stepped up with bold commitments and contracts in recent years. Following this announcement, 11,500 MW of offshore wind development are under contract across nine states, part of a total state goal of 32,000 MW.