The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has approved the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for Equinor’s 2GW Empire Wind project.
With this key permitting action by BOEM secured, Empire Wind is on track to begin construction in its federal lease area off the southern coast of Long Island later this year said the developer.
Already well advanced in planning and development, Empire Wind 1 could deliver first power to New Yorkers by 2026, Equinor said. The developer added construction to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a major hub for offshore wind could begin as early as this spring.
“We are ready to get to work,” said president of Equinor Renewables Americas Molly Morris.
“Today’s COP approval follows years of rigorous review and collaboration with BOEM and other federal agencies. Equinor is grateful for a shared commitment to achieving state and federal offshore wind ambitions and Empire Wind is one step closer to delivering renewable power to hundreds of thousands of New York homes.”
First submitted in 2020, the project’s COP authorizes detailed plans for offshore and onshore construction and operations based on years of environmental reviews, input from outside experts, and extensive public feedback said Equinor.
BOEM’s announcement follows the November 2023 approval of Empire Wind’s federal Record of Decision.
Empire Wind has recently received several federal approvals. Last week, it received its Clean Air Act permit from the Environmental Protection Agency. Earlier this week, it received its approval from the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Empire Wind 1 is currently bidding into New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation.