The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last week approved the Empire Wind project for construction, making it the sixth commercial-scale offshore wind farm to receive approval from the federal government.
The Department of the Interior said the joint venture between Equinor and BP supports the Biden administration’s aim to deploy 30 GW of OSW by 2030 and would assist New York and New Jersey in achieving their respective targets of developing 9,000 MW and 7,500 MW of OSW energy by 2035.
The project consists of two farms, the 816-MW Empire Wind 1 and the 1,260-MW Empire Wind 2, about 12 nautical miles south of Long Island and about 16.9 nautical miles east of Long Branch, N.J., respectively. EW1 is anticipated to be operational by 2027 and EW2 a year later, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
BOEM’s Record of Decision documents environmental mitigation strategies, including compensating fishers impacted by construction in the lease area.
The approval is a positive development for an industry beset by problems recently, including regulatory setbacks, local opposition and financial constraints stemming from rising inflation that has led to project cancellations.
Danish company Ørsted canceled its two New Jersey OSW projects, Ocean Wind 1 and 2 this month after it said surging interest rates and supply chain disruptions made them unfeasible. (See Ørsted Cancels Ocean Wind, Suspends Skipjack.) A week later, Eversource Energy cited inflation as the reason for divesting its stake in the Revolution, South Fork and Sunrise projects. (See Eversource Closer to Exiting OSW Venture with Ørsted.)
Empire itself appeared to be in jeopardy after the New York Public Service Commission last month denied a request to amend power purchase agreements because of inflation pressures. (See NY Rejects Inflation Adjustment for Renewable Projects.)
New York on Nov. 30 will launch a new OSW solicitation open to all, including those with existing contracts, allowing developers to re-propose their projects at higher prices and offering an option to withdraw from previous agreements.
“A New York parade of positive developments has lifted the industry over the past month,” Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock said. BOEM’s approval of Empire maintains “the industry’s forward momentum while still ensuring environmentally responsible development.”
Empire “will stimulate the regional economy, revitalize ports and create many new job opportunities — including new manufacturing, installation, maintenance and operations jobs,” said JC Sandberg, chief advocacy officer at the American Clean Power Association.
Clean Ocean Action, an environmental organization based in Long Island, said it was concerned about the approval, writing on Facebook that the government was “fast-tracking” OSW projects.
“Too many questions remain unanswered about the impacts of offshore wind projects, such as Empire Wind 1 and 2, to move so quickly and recklessly forward with massive ocean industrialization,” the group said. “The ocean deserves more care, especially since it’s a prime buffer for climate change impacts.”
