New York State signs largest deals for offshore wind projects

New York State officials signed contracts for two offshore wind projects which will bring nearly 1,700 megawatts of energy to the state.

It is the largest renewable energy procurement by a state in U.S. history, officials say. The wind projects will power more than 1 million homes combined and create more than 1,600 jobs. State officials say they will generate $3.2 billion in economic impact.

“The environment and climate change are the most critically important policy priorities we face,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “They literally will determine the future – or the lack thereof. Even in today’s chaos of political pandering and hyperbole, there are still facts, data, and evidence – and climate change is an undeniable scientific fact. But cries for a new green movement are hollow political rhetoric if not combined with aggressive goals and a realistic plan on how to achieve them. With this agreement, New York will lead the way in developing the largest source of offshore wind power in the nation, and today I will sign the most aggressive climate law in the United States of America.”

Cuomo was joined at the signing ceremony by former Vice President Al Gore.

The contracts were awarded to Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind development projects by Equinor US Holdings and Bay
State Wind. The Empire Wind Project will generate about 816 megawatts (MW) of energy while the Sunrise Wind project will produce 880 MW of energy.

“Governor Cuomo’s vision to power the Empire State with clean, American-made offshore wind power will benefit all New Yorkers,” Laura Smith Morton, senior director, policy and regulatory affairs, offshore at the American Wind Energy Association, said. “Large-scale wind projects, like those selected today, equal large-scale job creation and infrastructure investment in New York City and the state’s coastal communities.”

New York has awarded about 4,700 megawatts of renewable energy contracts since March 2018. The state has a goal of having 9,000 MW of wind power by 2035.

Cuomo also signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act into law. This law requires the state to achieve a carbon-free electricity system by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The law will drive investment in clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, energy efficiency, and energy storage. Further, it will drive investments toward disadvantaged communities and create thousands of jobs.

“Climate change is real and must be addressed to better protect future generations. As Washington fails to act, New York State must step up to lead on this critical issue. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act will help combat the damages caused by climate change, reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions, focus investments on green technology, protect disadvantaged communities, and ensure that workers are protected and good jobs are created as we transition to greener energy sources,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said.

Exelon Corp. applauded Cuomo for signing the bill into law.

“As the nation’s largest producer of emissions-free energy and a leading provider of clean power solutions, Exelon commends Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for their vision in enacting one of the nation’s strongest policies to address the urgency of the global climate crisis. The new law builds on New York’s leadership in relying on all forms of emissions-free power to achieve the state’s climate goals quickly and affordably, which will allow New York to use that clean energy to transition high-emitting industries and the transportation sector away from fossil fuels. We look forward to working with the Governor and state lawmakers to implement this ground-breaking law,” company officials said in a statement.