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Norway's Equinor requests for 'shovel-ready' Empire Wind 1 project for New York offshore wind industry.
Norway's Equinor has submitted the Empire Wind 1 project request for the fourth accelerated wind request of New York.
If chosen, Empire Wind 1 is expected to begin supplying power for the first time in 2026 and will have the capacity to power more than half a million homes in New York with renewable energy, according to Equinor.
Already in development for many years, Empire Wind 1 will solidify the position of the offshore wind industry on the East Coast by transforming the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) into a center of excellence for offshore wind energy in New York City.
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Empire Wind 1: A Project Overview
The Empire Wind project is located 15 to 30 miles southeast of Long Island and spans 80.000 acres, with water depths between approximately 75 and 135 feet. The lease was acquired in 2017. The two phases of the project, Empire Wind 1 (810 MW) and 2 (1,26 GW), have a potential capacity of more than 2 GW (810 + 1.260 MW), enough to supply more than 1 million homes in New York.
Empire Wind 1 Request for New York
Empire Wind 1 is ready and so is Equinor. New York has demonstrated its commitment to offshore wind energy and this project will play a key role in furthering that commitment. Empire Wind 1 puts New York City at the center of this new industry and the economic and environmental benefits will extend throughout the state, said Molly Morris, president of Equinor of Renewables Americas.
Associated Projects and Long-Term Development
Empire Wind 1 competes for New York's latest solicitation, and follows the announcement of a swap transaction between Equinor and BP under which Equinor will assume full ownership of the Empire Wind lease and associated projects, including the SBMT , where construction is expected to begin in the first half of this year. On the other hand, BP will assume full ownership of Beacon Wind and its assets. A mutual termination agreement was also reached with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the Beacon Wind 1 Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Advances in the Offshore Wind Industry
In early January, Empire Wind 2 agreed to cancel its OREC agreement as part of a strategic reset due to macroeconomic factors that have had an industry-wide impact. According to Equinor, Empire Wind 1 is in a clear position to advance into NY4, while Empire Wind 2 will be further matured for future solicitation rounds.
Impact on the offshore wind industry
The Empire Wind 1 project is a clear example of the advancement of the offshore wind industry, with the potential to revolutionize the way we obtain energy. O South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will play a crucial role in project phase.
