New York State to get 3.3GW in offshore wind capacity

Norwegian fossil and wind energy company Equinor has been picked to provide New York State with offshore wind generation capacity of 3.3GW in one of the largest renewable energy procurements in the US to date.

The project involves transforming two New York ports – the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) and the Port of Albany – into offshore wind industrial facilities that will make New York an offshore industry hub, Equinor said.

“Together, Equinor and the State of New York will create a robust offshore wind supply chain capable of manufacturing, assembling, and staging these projects at scale,” said the company.

The award announced Wednesday gives Equinor and its partner bp leave to build the Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind 1 schemes, together representing 2.49GW. These are added to an existing agreement for Equinor to develop the 816MW Empire Wind 1 field, making a total of 3.3GW.

The award is subject to the successful negotiation of a final purchase and sale agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

“These projects will deliver homegrown, renewable electricity to New York and play a major role in the State’s ambitions of becoming a global offshore wind hub,” said Equinor chief executive Anders Opedal.

“The US East Coast is one of the most attractive growth markets for offshore wind in the world. The successful bids for Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind 1 represent a game-changer for our offshore wind business in the U.S. and underline Equinor’s commitment to be a leading company in the energy transition. These projects will also create value through economies of scale and support our strategic ambition of becoming a global offshore wind major.”