New York State Grants Final Approval for the 810 MW Empire Wind 1 Offshore Windfarm

New York State has granted final approval for constructing the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm. The project, which has a capacity of 810 MW, will provide enough clean, renewable electricity for 388,000 New York homes.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the approval, stating that the project will create hundreds of near-term family-sustaining construction jobs and spur investment in near-term economic development statewide. The approval represents progress toward the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to develop 9,000 MW offshore wind projects in the US. 

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The project received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The certificate approves the development of the following facilities:

1. Transmission facilities, including two 230 kilovolts (kV) alternating current submarine transmission cables extending from the boundary of New York State waters to the cable landfall in Brooklyn.
2. A 0.2-mile-long onshore cable route will also be constructed, featuring two 230 kV alternating current transmission cables buried underground, connecting to an onshore substation. This onshore substation at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will increase the voltage to 345 kV.
3. Finally, two 345 kV alternating current onshore transmission cables will be buried underground, extending from the onshore substation to the point of interconnection with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.’s existing Gowanus 345 kV substation in Brooklyn.

The approval marks the final green light for Equinor, the Norwegian state-owned energy giant, to start building the project. With all necessary federal, state, and local authorizations now in place, critical construction activities can begin in Brooklyn. The project's construction phase is expected to create hundreds of family-sustaining construction jobs, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. Additionally, the project will stimulate significant private investment in economic development statewide, reinforcing renewable projects in the USA.

Read: EnBW Starts the Construction of Germany’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm in the North Sea

Empire Wind 1 Offshore Windfarm: An Overview

Equinor is developing Empire Wind 1 on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore of New York. The project is part of a larger initiative that includes Empire Wind 2, which is set to contribute substantially to renewable energy production.

Project Capacity

The Empire Wind 1 project has a substantial capacity of 810 MW. An estimated 60 to 80 wind turbines with an installed capacity of more than 15 MW each produce the project's capacity. This power output provides renewable energy to more than half a million New York homes. Furthermore, the first power from Empire Wind 1 will be delivered in 2026.

Entities Involved in the Project

Equinor:  The primary developer of the Empire Wind 1 project is Equinor. The company is responsible for the wind farm's overall planning, construction, and operation. Equinor signed the commercial lease for the federal offshore wind area in March 2017 following a successful auction by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Equinor is also involved in community engagement initiatives and has established partnerships with local unions.

NYSERDA: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) plays a significant role in the Empire Wind 1 project. It is responsible for negotiating an Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) Purchase and Sale Agreement with Equinor. NYSERDA's involvement ensures the project aligns with New York's renewable energy goals.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM): BOEM, a U.S. Department of the Interior bureau, oversees the leasing, plan approval, and environmental studies for offshore wind energy projects in federal waters. BOEM approved the Construction and Operations Plan for the Empire Wind Project.

South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT): The SBMT will be transformed into New York's first purpose-built offshore wind staging and port facility as part of the Empire Wind 1 project. The terminal will serve as a hub for offshore wind activities for years.

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Location and Capacity

The Empire Wind 1 project is approximately 12 nautical miles south of Long Island, New York, and about 16.9 miles east of Long Branch, New Jersey. The lease area, Hudson North, is in the New York Bight, about 15 miles south of Jones Beach, Long Island. The project is expected to install up to 147 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 2,076 MW. This capacity is estimated to power more than 700,000 homes each year.

Community Engagement and Impact

Equinor has established a major union partnership for New York’s first offshore wind hub. The Empire Wind project has also hit key federal milestones with COP approval. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Operations Hub of Empire Wind received design approval from NYC. These developments indicate the project's commitment to local engagement and the potential to boost the regional economy.

Read: RWE Installs First Turbine Foundation for the 1.4 GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm

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