The United States has identified an almost 33,000-hectare lease area in waters off New York State in a move which will kick-start development of offshore wind farms on the outer continental shelf.
The site identified by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) begins about 11 miles south of Long Island.
“New York has tremendous offshore wind potential, and today’s milestone marks another important step in the president’s strategy to tap clean, renewable energy from the Nation’s vast wind and solar resources,” said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.
BOEM director Abigail Ross Hopper said: “The area is large enough for a large-scale commercial wind project, which could make substantial contributions to the region’s energy supply and assist local and state governments — including New York City — in achieving their renewable energy goals.”
The wind energy area is based on a 700MW proposal by the New York Power Authority in 2011, when it proposed installing up to 194 3.6MW turbines. Fishermen’s Energy and Energy Management Inc also expressed interest in the site.
In a later call for nominations in 2014, Deepwater Wind, EDF and Sea Breeze Energy also said they are interested in the site.
BOEM expects to complete an Environmental Assessment later in 2016, which will consider the issuance of a lease and approval of a site assessment. The bureau may then move forward with a competitive lease sale.
The agency will also continue to work with the state to identify other offshore wind energy areas.
It said it will also continue to advance plans for other sites along the Atlantic seaboard and expects to hold a commercial lease auction for three sites off North Carolina later this year.
Image: SIF
