For Immediate Release: January 13, 2021
Media Contact: Melinda Skea | [email protected] | 202-709-9793
Albany –New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced two new state contracts to procure 2,490 MW of offshore wind from Equinor Wind 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 United States. 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 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 good paying jobs.
Offshore wind promises to create tens of thousands of jobs while supplying clean, renewable energy on a massive scale. New York under Governor Cuomo 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 percent 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. With todays’ announcement, 11,500 MW of offshore wind development are under contract across nine states, part of a total state goal of 32,000 MW.
The following statement can be attributed to Ross Gould, Vice President for Supply Chain Development & New York State Director of the Oceantic Network:
“Today’s 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.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with a Network spokesperson, contact Melinda Skea at [email protected] or 410-779-1362.
The Oceantic Network is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a robust offshore wind supply chain in the U.S. It advances the industry forward through education, facilitating partnerships, and events, including the International Partnership Forum, the largest offshore wind conference in America. Learn more at oceantic.org.
