New York State seeking bids to build more offshore wind projects

New York State is seeking solicitations to build more than 800 megawatts of new offshore wind projects in the state.

This offering, issued by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is a first step toward the state’s goal of 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030.

“This action is a watershed moment in New York’s renewable energy development efforts as we work to establish a secure, reliable and cost-effective clean energy future,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “New York will continue to combat climate change, investing in robust offshore wind development and clean energy that provides a path toward a greener and more sustainable future in our state and around the world.”

The action is part of New York’s Offshore Wind Master Plan, released in January 2018, and the Public Service Commission’s Order Establishing the State’s Offshore Wind Standard, issued in July 2018.

“With this solicitation, New York takes a momentous step toward a clean, renewable energy future. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is creating a nation-leading offshore wind industry, bringing high-quality jobs and greater economic opportunities for New Yorker’s with a lower costing, cleaner, and a more efficient energy system. New York is ideally positioned to capture this growing technology and demonstrates that investments in clean energy can benefit New Yorkers both economically and environmentally,” Richard Kauffman, chairman of Energy and Finance, said.

The NYSERDA solicitation includes requirements for wage and labor agreements by offshore wind developers to ensure that the projects deliver good jobs for New York workers. NYSERDA will host the New York Offshore Wind Supplier Forum on Nov. 15 in New York City to connect local suppliers to offshore wind developers and manufacturers.

“Offshore wind is poised to be the next major clean energy resource for the United States, and thanks to Governor Cuomo’s steadfast commitment to developing new renewable energy and fighting climate change, New York is now positioned at the forefront of this burgeoning new industry,” Alicia Barton, president and CEO at NYSERDA, said. “With the issuance of today’s solicitation New York will kick off development and construction of the first generation of large-scale offshore wind projects, and NYSERDA has structured the solicitation to ensure that these projects will fully deliver on their environmental and economic development promise.”

NYSERDA may award 25-year long-term contracts for projects ranging from approximately 200 megawatts to about 800 megawatts. Bids are due February 2019, and awards are expected in Spring of 2019.

“The development of offshore wind energy is central to achieving Governor Cuomo’s goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030 with good, clean well-sited projects,” Public Service Commission Chair John Rhodes said. “With this step, New York is leading the development of this great resource and industry, and set to achieve great quantities of good clean power as we drive costs down dramatically, as well as to create thousands of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our coastal communities and in New York.”