U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has delineated an area of some 81,130 acres (approx. 328km²) for potential commercial wind energy development off the coast of the state of New York.
BOEM announced the New York Wind Energy Area (WEA) yesterday, after concluding more than four years of review and consideration of the proposed area as part of the Area Identification process, which pinpoints the most suitable offshore locations for wind energy development.
The New York WEA consists of five Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) blocks and 148 sub-blocks. It begins approximately 11 nautical miles (approx. 20km) south of Long Beach, New York, and extends approximately 26nmi (approx. 48km) southeast along its longest portion. The entire area covers approximately 127 square miles, 81,130 acres, or 32,832 hectares (328.32 square kilometres).
“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,” BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper said.
BOEM will now complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) to determine potential impacts associated with issuing a lease, and will also assess the impacts of conducting surveys and installing resource assessment facilities in the area. The environmental review is expected to be completed later this year.
Following the EA completion, BOEM may move forward with steps to hold a competitive lease sale for commercial wind development offshore New York.