New York plans massive offshore wind expansion

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has today released plans to massively scale-up the state’s offshore wind industry over the next decade.

Under Governor Cuomo’s new plans, New York will build 2,400 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity by 2030, enough to supply 1.2 million households with clean electricity.

The ‘New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan’ sees a place for the technology to create $6 billion of investment and up to 5,000 new jobs across its supply chain. It can also help support a goal of sourcing 50 percent of the state’s electricity from renewables by 2030 and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The plan represents one of the first major steps towards developing offshore wind at scale in the United States. To date, the country has built just one project, consisting of five turbines with a capacity of 30MW, off the coast of Rhode Island.

"While the federal government continues to turn its back on protecting natural resources and plots to open up our coastline to drilling, New York is doubling down on our commitment to renewable energy and the industries of tomorrow," Governor Cuomo said. 

"We are drawing upon our world-class workforce, unmatched intellectual capital, physical infrastructure and financial institutions to develop this increasingly affordable clean energy source that creates good paying jobs while protecting Long Island's natural beauty and quality of life."

Richard L. Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York said, "New York has seized the moment to not only address the global climate crisis but also take advantage of the economic and environmental rewards that renewable energy can deliver”.

Earlier this month, the Governor announced two initial leasing rounds to procure 800 megawatts of new capacity in 2018 and 2019. $15 million of funding has also been made available to help train a new workforce in the skills needed to work in the offshore wind industry, and develop port infrastructure.

 

             The Governor highlighted the importance of building offshore wind to help combat climate change

 

 

Image Credit: ScottishPower