Offshore wind development company Leading Light Wind has submitted its bid for an offshore wind power contract to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). New York’s third competitive offshore wind solicitation includes a $500 million investment in offshore wind ports, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure. Leading Light Wind proposes delivering up to 2,100 MW of clean energy to the state.
“Leading Light Wind is charting a course for New York’s clean energy future, one that is led by American innovation,” said Michael Polsky, Founder and CEO at Invenergy. “As the only American-led offshore wind project in the New York Bight, Leading Light Wind has an unmatched commitment to advancing a domestic offshore wind industry that secures American competitiveness in the global market, delivers a just energy transition, and builds new opportunities for New Yorkers.”
Notably, Leading Light Wind signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) to ensure the project is built by New York union construction workers. The MOU covers all aspects of construction – from supply chain and port construction to offshore construction.
In addition to the supply chain investments, Leading Light Wind is focused on an equitable offshore wind industry in New York and will establish a community benefits program with up to $300 million in funding for driving stakeholder-directed community empowerment, building of an inclusive workforce, accelerating the offshore wind supply chain, and pioneering innovative and collaborative environmental research. Initial partnerships with community-based organizations and institutions include the Waterfront Alliance, the Albert C. Wiltshire Employment Center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, CUNY Offshore Wind Advisory Network, CUNY College of Staten Island, Gotham Whale, the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (the Waterfront Pathways Program and newly proposed Lift All Boats fund to support small businesses).
Leading Light Wind also recognizes that meaningful stakeholder engagement is central to every area of NYSERDA’s offshore wind program. As a committed industry partner, Leading Light Wind will build upon NYSERDA’s efforts and center multifaceted stakeholder engagement throughout every stage of the project. Leading Light Wind is engaging with critical marine and fisheries stakeholders to ensure a burgeoning offshore wind industry can thrive alongside existing marine economies and resources.
Leading Light Wind builds upon Invenergy and energyRe’s partnership in New York, including the development of Clean Path New York – a clean energy infrastructure project combining a new 175-mile, 1,300-MW HVDC underground transmission line with more than 3,800 MW of new wind and solar power in New York.
News item from LLW
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