New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of construction of Orsted’s 924MW Sunrise Wind project.
A groundbreaking on 17 July at the Boys and Girls Club of Bellport on Long Island officially kicked off the start of the Sunrise Wind project which will support more than 800 direct jobs during construction and will “spur economic benefits” from the Capital Region to Long Island, including a $700m investment in Suffolk County alone.
It will be built under project labour agreements ensuring local union labour’s participation in all phases of construction.
Sunrise Wind, when built, will be located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk, New York, with an approved transmission route connecting to the state’s electricity grid at the Holbrook Substation in the town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County.
“We ae growing New York’s green economy, building clean energy, and expanding economic opportunities for all New Yorkers,” Hochul said.
“By breaking ground on Sunrise Wind and advancing the next wave of offshore wind projects, New York is passing a tremendous milestone to combat climate change.
“These projects will create good-paying union jobs and demonstrate that New York is leading the nation to build the offshore wind industry,” she added.
As a mature project, Sunrise Wind has already completed all major federal and state permitting milestones and received approval of its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) from the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on 21 June 2024.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and chief executive Doreen M Harris said, “Today’s shovels in the ground, paired with the launch of New York’s fifth offshore wind solicitation, marks yet another step forward in advancing offshore wind in New York State, and realizing the potential of this powerhouse industry in accelerating the State’s energy transition and growing our economy.”
Group executive vice president and chief executive Americas at Orsted David Hardy added: “Sunrise Wind builds on the momentum from South Fork Wind as we deliver jobs, economic development, and clean power for hundreds of thousands of New York homes and businesses.
“We are successfully standing up a new American energy industry thanks to the outstanding leadership of the Hochul and Biden-Harris Administrations.
“We look forward to building New York’s largest offshore wind project, helping the state meet its clean energy targets while strengthening the local offshore wind workforce and supply chain.”
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Today’s groundbreaking marks the start of construction on Sunrise Wind-New York’s largest job-creating and clean-energy producing offshore wind project that will change the energy landscape in New York for the better.
“Built with union labor, Sunrise Wind will provide clean energy for hundreds of thousands of New York homes and boost the regional economy.
“New York’s energy needs are vast, and so is the urgent need to reduce the greenhouse gasses driving climate change, which is why I fought so hard to pass the historic Inflation Reduction Act to make projects like this possible.
“I’ll continue working with Governor Hochul, the Biden administration, Long Island officials, labor and all stakeholders to move offshore wind and other renewable energy projects forward.”