New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into law yesterday, America’s largest offshore wind procurement to date. The new legislation requires the state’s utilities to produce 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and calls for 100% carbon-free electricity generation by 2040. It also set a goal to develop 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
The commitment to nearly 1,700 MW in offshore wind is expected to create more than 1,600 jobs in New York and result in $3.2 billion in economic activity.
“We thank Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYSERDA for their clean energy plans that are the largest in the country for reducing carbon emissions, including the nation’s most ambitious offshore wind production goals,” said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind (the Network).
“We also applaud the announcement of the winner(s) of New York’s first offshore wind solicitation, which will provide 1,700 MW of renewable energy from offshore wind, the largest award in the country,” she said.
These historic contracts with Ørsted (880 MW) and Equinor (816 MW) 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. The winners are members of the Network and have helped the industry grow immensely from their successes in many European countries. They bring both experience and knowledge to U.S. shores.
“The offshore wind projects announced today will not only protect our environment but also generate jobs and keep ratepayers’ costs as low as possible,” added Burdock. “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.”
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% 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 by 2035, these awards confirm 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.
“New York is walking the walk when it comes to renewable energy and climate leadership in America,” said Gregory Wetstone, President and CEO of ACORE. “We applaud Governor Cuomo for signing this historic legislation to reduce greenhouse emissions and transition the state to a renewable energy economy. The benefits for New Yorkers will be far-reaching, including substantial new investment, job creation and a healthier environment for us all.”
Boone Davis, President & CEO of Atlantic Offshore Terminals, a New York-based developer of offshore wind port and supply chain facilities, added: “For New York to fully realize its clean energy goals and build 9,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2035, port infrastructure is needed that meets the unique requirements of the offshore wind industry. With the Arthur Kill Terminal as an essential part of that port infrastructure, we look forward to working with the state to create hundreds of long-term jobs for local union workers, generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits, and establish New York as the premier offshore wind supply chain hub in the U.S.”
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