Orsted has announced more than half of the advanced foundation components for the offshore turbines of the 924MW Sunrise Wind offshore wind farm are now complete, as the project gears up for offshore construction in 2025.
The news comes as New York state and local leaders joined the Danish developer at its Port of Coeymans assembly hub to celebrate the progress on the project’s construction and the key role union workers are playing building New York’s largest offshore wind scheme.
The work underway to construct these large turbine foundation components for Sunrise Wind represents a more than $86m investment by Orsted into New York’s growing offshore wind supply chain.
This is creating more than 230 jobs in areas such as construction and steel manufacturing, from the Capital Region to Western New York, and comes on top of the developer’s investments in offshore wind jobs and training on Long Island.
“On behalf of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, I congratulate Orsted and Sunrise Wind on this construction milepost which is critical to expanding offshore wind in our state and delivering clean energy to all New Yorkers,” said its president and chief executive Doreen M Harris.
“Today we celebrate the transformation of the Port of Coeymans which is now among the first ports in the country to be mobilized for the construction of advanced foundation components for an offshore wind farm by US workers,” she added.
Orsted said it is leading the buildout of the American offshore wind industry with a focus on its growing hub in the north-east, which includes ports, vessels, a trained workforce, a growing supply chain and much more.
Sunrise Wind is a key part of its plan to invest $20bn by 2030 building up America’s clean energy industry and supply chain, the developer added.
“The Port of Coeymans is a perfect example of what offshore wind brings to New York: more than 120 union workers are here constructing a project that will deliver clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the state,” said group executive vice president and chief executive Americas at Orsted David Hardy.
“Sunrise Wind is an American clean energy project by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers. We look forward to building Sunrise Wind and future projects as we continue to invest in New York’s union-led offshore wind supply chain and workforce,” he added.
The 924MW Sunrise Wind project is creating 800 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs in the state and will power nearly 600,000 New York homes and businesses.
Orsted said Sunrise Wind builds on the success of the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm – New York’s 130MW South Fork Wind – and will help New York achieve its mandate of 70% renewable energy by 2030.
South Fork began operations in March 2024 and is powering 70,000 homes from its 12 Siemens Gamesa turbines.
Orsted selected Riggs Distler & Company, a Centuri Company and leading union construction solutions firm with offices in Mt Vernon and Saugerties, New York, to serve as the general contractor to build the prefabricated components at the Port of Coeymans.
Once complete, the structures will be shipped down the Hudson River and out to the Sunrise Wind offshore wind farm site, located in federal waters roughly 30 miles east of Montauk.
“Riggs Distler is proud to deliver solutions for America’s offshore wind industry,” said Riggs Distler president and chief executive Stephen M Zemaitatis Jr.
“We take immense pride in the work we have accomplished on South Fork Wind and are honoured to continue our efforts in the Empire State for Orsted on the Sunrise Wind project.
“The work we are doing strengthens our nation’s energy independence and economic prosperity while ensuring a sustainable future for generations.”
The foundation components, ranging in size from 12 tonnes to 120 tonnes each and as tall as 40 feet, include the structures’ internal and external platforms, railings, anode cages, and other key parts that will attach to the monopiles the turbines will be installed upon.
The construction at the Port of Coeymans is covered by a Project Labor Agreement with the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council, with more than 120 skilled tradespeople from local unions contributing to the construction of the advanced foundation components.
These include members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local Union 291, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 236, Ironworkers Local Union 12, Laborers Local Union 190, Operating Engineers Local Union 158, and Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ Local Union 780.
“Today we saw firsthand the incredible transformation of the Port of Coeymans – a transformation made possible by Sunrise Wind and Orsted’s partnership with union labour and local suppliers,” said Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council president Michael Lyons.
“Offshore wind is about more than clean energy – it’s about people. And thanks to Orsted’s investments in our state, Sunrise Wind is creating new opportunities for union workers across New York building a clean energy future, and I look forward to its continued progress.”
In addition to the direct economic impact at the Port of Coeymans, the Danish developer’s partnership with Riggs Distler is creating opportunities for companies and workers across New York. LJUNGSTRӦM LLC, of Wellsville, in Alleghany County, New York, manufactured the steel components in Western New York, it added.
Additional New York suppliers, from concrete suppliers to facility managers, are supporting the foundation components scope for Sunrise Wind.
In July, Orsted broke ground on the onshore, underground transmission system that will connect Sunrise Wind to Long Island’s electric grid.
The project’s onshore construction scope is creating more than 400 union jobs on Long Island, led by local contractor Haugland Energy Group.
“New York’s investments in the next generation of renewable energy and wind power is paying dividends for the Capital Region,” said Assembly member Patricia Fahy (D-Albany).
“Sunrise Wind is bringing good-paying clean energy jobs home to the Capital Region, and it is great to see the future of our clean energy economy beginning at the Port of Coeymans. Capital Region workers are building the economy of tomorrow as we confront the transcendent threat of our time; climate change.
“I’m looking forward to seeing even more investment here in our area as a result of the state’s continued commitment to meeting our ambitious CLCPA mandates.”
New York State Assembly member John T McDonald III said: “Our region has always been an energy leader, and projects like Sunrise Wind are cementing that legacy and positioning us to lead the next generation of clean energy development.
“I’m grateful for Orsted’s partnership and commitment to hiring locally, and I’m excited to see Sunrise Wind continue to move forward.”
Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells added: “This partnership between Orsted and the Port of Coeymans shows that the offshore wind benefits go far beyond those who will use its power.
“New York has held firm to its commitment to developing a domestic supply chain against a tough economic climate. The progress we saw today shows that the dream is possible and worth committing to.”
New York Offshore Wind Alliance Director Alicia Gené Artessa said: “Another great day for the offshore wind industry!
“Congratulations to Orsted and the Port of Coeymans on the incredible progress they are making right here in the Capital Region.
“The advanced foundation components for New York’s Sunrise Wind project are being manufactured in Ravena, NY, and will be installed offshore in 2025.
NYOWA had the pleasure of joining a tour at the port and it is inspiring to see the magnitude of these component parts and the workforce in action.”