Statement from Liz Burdock, CEO & President, Business Network for Offshore Wind
“We thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYSERDA for a massive clean, renewable energy plan, the largest and most ambitious effort in the country for ending New York carbon emissions, which includes the nation’s most aggressive offshore wind production projects. We also applaud the announcement of the winners of New York’s first offshore wind solicitation, which will provide 1,700 megawatts of renewable energy from offshore wind, the largest award in the country today. Energy companies, Orsted and Equinor, both members of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, have been named the developers of the wind power projects, completed by 2024.
“Importantly, Governor Cuomo signed into law — the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act — that will not only boost the state’s economy but also protect New Yorkers from climate change by removing the state’s carbon footprint. Importantly, the new law codifies the goal of producing 9,000 MWs of offshore wind by 2035 – a significant amount of energy to keep the lights on. One megawatt of offshore wind produces electricity for an average of 379 homes in the U.S., according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Governor is to be praised for producing electricity for over 1 million homes from the two projects announced today.
“The offshore wind projects will protect our environment, generate good-paying jobs and keep ratepayers’ costs as low as possible. This is happening in New York today, thanks to the Governor’s goals of ending carbon emissions, diversifying the state’s energy resources and accelerating the transition from fossil fuel electricity generation to renewables. At the Governor’s direction, New York is leading the race to develop offshore wind, and its residents will reap the environmental and economic benefits. Now it’s time for the U.S. to move on offshore wind and follow Governor Cuomo’s lead.
“This historic contracts with Orsted and Equinor mean that New York is now fully into the offshore wind marketplace and will supercharge the local and regional supply chains of companies that can now seek to become offshore wind industry suppliers. As members of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, Orsted and Equinor have helped the industry grow immensely from their successes in many European countries. They bring both experience and knowledge to U.S. shores.
“I hope the world now sees how serious our Governors are about meeting climate commitments and building a US offshore wind industry that will compete globally.
“The U.S. offshore wind market, especially in New York, is growing rapidly. When Governor Cuomo increased the U.S. offshore wind market by 62 percent in January, industry opportunities and challenges became very clear, very quickly. Adding to the Governor’s increase of the state’s offshore wind target to 9,000 MWs, today’s award to developers confirms New York’s role as a national leader in the U.S. and establish the state as a global leader of the offshore wind market.
“The offshore wind industry will help Governor Cuomo improve so many aspects of the lives of New Yorkers — ensuring a cleaner environment, generating more jobs and keeping utility costs fair and stable.
“We also want to thank Governor Cuomo for committing over $3.5 billion to support economic development, union agreements, financing of New York’s infrastructure, including the upgrade of the NY/NJ Port Authority, and for investments in training and developing skills for New Yorkers to work in the industry. Offshore wind has the potential to create many tens of thousands of jobs along the East Coast and help each state reach its carbon-emission goals.”
Background on Developers:
Equinor’s project, called Empire Wind, is about 14-35 miles south of Long Island in the New York Bight. This contract proves that Equinor’s move to win the auction for this Wind Energy Area and become the first developer to hold a lease in the NY Bight area has paid off. Equinor also currently holds a Wind Energy Area south of Martha’s Vineyard that it won in the triple auction held by BOEM last December.
Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind project is located in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island, about 30 miles from Montauk Point. This project is now added to the existing Block Island wind farm, the Revolution Wind and Bay State Wind farms off of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, the 1100MW Ocean Wind project located 15 miles off of Atlantic City, NJ, and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project 27 miles off the Virginia coast in the company’s portfolio of U.S. projects.
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About the Business Network for Offshore Wind
The Business Network for Offshore Wind is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing an offshore wind supply chain in the United States. The Network is focused on delivering education, creating partnerships and advancing the industry. All membership and event proceeds are invested back into supporting the industry by helping the Network continue programmatic education and develop the tools and networks necessary to create a U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The Network hosts the annual International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF) (www.2019ipf.com), the leading technical conference for offshore wind in the United States dedicated to moving the industry forward.