New York Power Authority (NYPA) has published a report based on lessons learned from European offshore wind transmission models.
The document will help guide New York state as it achieves its 9GW offshore wind target by 2035 and will also inform regional and national offshore wind development.
The report, commissioned by NYPA and its New York State energy partners, identified competition and scaling up generation and transmission assets as key to building New York’s offshore wind capacity over the next 17 years.
NYPA chief executive Gil Quiniones said: “We see great value in studying what European countries have learned about transmission and interconnection infrastructure.
“We can now apply those learnings to build cost-effective projects that benefit all New Yorkers and our key partners and stakeholders while advancing the Governor’s aggressive climate goals.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s clean energy agenda recognises the integral role of wind to fulfil his mandate to decarbonise the energy sector by 2040 and have 70% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030.
The study examined transmission and grid interconnection strategies, as well as development and electricity rate structures in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, which enabled each country to lower its costs over time.
Key learnings from the report include a recognition that planning for scale and encouraging healthy competition have been key to the growth of offshore wind in the four countries studied.
Transparent, long-term, on and offshore grid planning removes barriers to entry, improves coordination and lowers costs, the report found.
Another key takeaway identified that cross-border coordination has helped EU countries leverage planned transmission infrastructure, provide resource flexibility and take advantage of economies of scale.
Long-term grid planning for both on and offshore, coordination and performance incentive alignment are critical so that parties are incentivised to finish projects in a timely manner, the study also concluded.
NYPA joined with the New York Independent System Operator, Con Edison, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in August 2018 to commission the in-depth study, with additional input from National Grid.
LIPA chief executive Thomas Falcone said, “As New York gears up for the rapid development of offshore wind under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, having a better understanding of Europe’s already-thriving industry will provide key insights as we look to build a skilled workforce and develop our ports.
“This study will help evolve our state’s clean energy goals and spur further economic development. New York will continue to lead the north-east and be the hub for offshore wind development.”