The New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan, created to direct the construction of 2.4 GW of offshore wind by 2030, was published by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. In his 2018 State of the State speech, Governor Cuomo declared that New York will launch tenders in 2018 and 2019 for a combined total of at least 800 MW of offshore wind energy.
State of New York Announces Offshore Wind Development Master Plan
The Governor’s directive to meet 50% of the state’s electricity demand with renewable energy sources by 2030 includes offshore wind.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has submitted an Offshore Wind Policy Options Paper to the New York State Public Service Commission to kick off the Governor’s direction to acquire at least 800 MW of offshore wind. In order to promote prompt project development, NYSERDA evaluates various approaches for contracting for offshore wind projects in this study.
In addition, the governor disclosed a $15 million investment to prepare the local labor force for opportunities in offshore wind and port infrastructure development. Cuomo is asking NYSERDA to collaborate with other essential state agencies as a next step in order to guarantee that labor laws, prevailing wages, and other policies are properly put into place in order to create high-quality, well-paying clean energy employment for New Yorkers.
One of the studies used to support the Master Plan, Workforce Opportunity of Offshore Wind in New York, concluded that more than $6 billion in public and private investments might benefit New York’s workforce and infrastructure if there was a thriving regional offshore wind industry. Additionally, the sector may anticipate adding 350 jobs in project management and development, 2,700 positions in manufacturing, and 2,000 jobs in operations and maintenance.
According to Governor Cuomo, “New York is doubling down on its commitment to renewable energy and the industries of tomorrow as the federal government plans to open up our coastline to drilling and continues to turn its back on preserving natural resources.” “To develop an increasingly inexpensive sustainable energy source that generates well-paying employment while preserving Long Island’s natural beauty and quality of life, we are leveraging our world-class workforce, incomparable intellectual capital, physical infrastructure, and financial institutions.”
The nation’s first of its type, New York’s Offshore Wind Master Plan. After two years of extensive study, analysis, and communication, New York issued the Offshore Wind Master Plan, which outlines a path toward attaining the Governor’s ambitious offshore wind energy goals. People directly involved in offshore wind, those who are impacted by it or stand to gain from its development, environmental organizations, project developers, manufacturers, the commercial and recreational fishing industries, and the general public have all been extensively involved in the stakeholder engagement process. Numerous meetings and consultations, seven public information sessions, and four open houses devoted to the fishing sector have been held by the state.
On February 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m., NYSERDA will offer two public webinars as part of its ongoing stakeholder engagement to give an overview of the Offshore Wind Master Plan and the subsequent measures that New York will take to enhance offshore wind development. For additional information and to pre-register for the webinar, please click here.
Visit the NYSERDA website for additional details on the Offshore Wind Master Plan for New York and associated research.