New York State plans to invest in renewable energy projects across the state and off its shores, resulting in 6.4 GW of clean energy, enough to power 2.6 million New York homes, create 8,300 jobs and deliver approximately 12% of the state’s electricity needs. This renewable energy investment is set to be the largest made by a single state in U.S. history.
“New York continues to set the pace for our nation’s transition to clean energy,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “An investment of this magnitude is about more than just fighting climate change – we’re creating good-paying union jobs, improving the reliability of our electric grid, and generating significant benefits in disadvantaged communities. Today, we are taking action to keep New York’s climate goals within reach, demonstrating to the nation how to recalibrate in the wake of global economic challenges while driving us toward a greener and more prosperous future for generations to come.”
“The Department of Energy applauds the significant step that this announcement represents for building an offshore wind energy industry here in the U.S. that revitalizes domestic manufacturing and coastal economies, while advancing our clean energy future,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “New York is showing President Biden’s Investing in America agenda at work, and DOE looks forward to continued collaboration on project deployment, development of a robust domestic supply chain along with transmission development to help realize both our state and federal offshore wind goals.”
From offshore wind project solicitation, NYSERDA has selected three new offshore wind projects totaling 4.032 GW of clean energy. Additionally, the awarded projects will bring more than $15 billion in anticipated in-state spending and create more than 4,200 family sustaining jobs across Long Island, New York City and the Capital Region over the 25-year lifespan of the projects.
The three offshore wind projects are:
Attentive Energy One (1,404 MW) developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light & Power and Corio Generation. The project includes a novel fossil repurposing plan in Queens, which seeks to retire fossil fuel power generation in the heart of New York City and transition the current workforce to clean energy jobs.
Community Offshore Wind (1,314 MW) developed by RWE Offshore Renewables and National Grid Ventures. The project includes uses new grid interconnection being developed by Con Edison in downtown Brooklyn, made possible by the Public Service Commission Order Approving Cost Recovery for Clean Energy Hub to maximize clean energy delivery into New York City.
Excelsior Wind (1,314 MW) developed by Vineyard Offshore (Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners). The project includes proposed cable route options providing energy deliverability to Long Island, leveraging the electric grid expansion provided through the Long Island Public Policy Transmission Need outcome.
Together, these projects will invest $85 million to support wildlife and fisheries research, mitigation, and enhancement; nearly $300 million in commitments to Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOBs); over $100 million in commitments to train New York’s workforce to build and service offshore wind projects; and billions of dollars in public health benefits resulting from reduced exposure to harmful pollutants—including fewer episodes of illness and premature death, fewer days of missed school or work, less disruption of business, and lower health care costs.
These projects employ a mix of flexible transmission designs, including a reduced footprint in transmitting energy from offshore wind projects to New York City through high voltage direct current (HVDC) and adaptable “Meshed-Ready” offshore electrical substations. The three offshore wind projects are anticipated to enter commercial operation in 2030. The average bill impact for customers over the life of the projects will be approximately 2.73%, or about $2.93 per month. The average all-in development cost of the awarded offshore wind projects over the life of the contracts is $96.72 per megawatt-hour.
Delivering on Governor Hochul’s commitment to make New York State a hub for the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, this procurement includes continued support for offshore wind turbine manufacturing, which leverages over $2 in privately committed capital for every $1 of New York public funding. NYSERDA is also awarding $300 million in state investment to enable the development of two supply chain facilities including nacelle manufacturing and assembly by GE Vernova, along with blade manufacturing developed by LM Wind Power Blades USA, both planned for New York’s Capital Region.
This investment has the capacity to supply almost one-third of the total regional demand for offshore wind by 2035, which will unlock $968 million in public and private funding, create 1,700 direct and indirect jobs backed by prevailing wage and project labor agreements, and result in over $3 billion in direct spending in the State. Additionally, these projects also align with available federal tax credits, enabling future savings to New York’s ratepayers.
Additionally, New York is repowering six wind projects and building one new wind project. Those projects are:
- Valcour Bliss Windpark: AES will repower a 100.5-MW wind facility in the town of Eagle, Wyoming County.
- Valcour Wethersfield Windpark: AES will repower a 126-MW wind facility in the town of Wethersfield, Wyoming County.
- Valcour Altona Windpark: AES will repower a 97.5-MW wind facility in the town of Altona, Clinton County.
- Valcour Chateaugay Windpark: AES will repower a 106.5-MW Wind facility in the town of Chateaugay, Franklin County.
- Valcour Clinton Windpark: AES will repower a 100.5-MW Wind facility in the town of Clinton, Clinton County.
- Valcour Ellenburg Windpark: AES will repower an 81-MW Wind facility in the town of Ellenburg, Clinton County.
- North Country Wind: Terra-Gen Development Company will build a 298.2-BW wind facility in the towns of Burke and Chateaugay, Franklin County.
News item from NYSERDA
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Projects
