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Norway’s Equinor Submits Empire Wind 1 Project Application ‘Ready for Excavation’ for New York’s Offshore Wind Industry.
Norway’s Equinor has submitted the Empire Wind 1 project application for New York’s fourth accelerated wind request.
If selected, Empire Wind 1 is expected to start generating power for the first time in 2026 and will have the capacity to supply renewable energy to over half a million households in New York, according to Equinor.
In development for many years, Empire Wind 1 will solidify the position of the offshore wind industry on the East Coast, 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: Project Overview
The Empire Wind project is located 15 to 30 miles southeast of Long Island and spans 80,000 acres, with water depths ranging from approximately 75 to 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 over 2 GW (810 + 1,260 MW), enough to supply more than 1 million households in New York.
Empire Wind 1 Application 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 promoting that commitment. Empire Wind 1 positions 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 Renewables Americas.
Associated Projects and Long-Term Development
Empire Wind 1 is competing for New York’s latest request and follows the announcement of a swap transaction between Equinor and BP under which Equinor will take full ownership of the Empire Wind lease and associated projects, including SBMT, where construction is expected to begin in the first half of this year. On the other hand, BP will take 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 Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate Purchase and Sale Agreement for Beacon Wind 1 (OREC).
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 impacting the entire industry. According to Equinor, Empire Wind 1 is in a clear position to advance in NY4, while Empire Wind 2 will be further matured for future request 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. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will play a crucial role in the project phase.
