New York Launches Offshore Wind Master Plan

The State of New York has released the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan, which will guide the development of 2.4GW of offshore wind by 2030.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the lead entity coordinating the Master Plan, has also filed an Offshore Wind Policy Options Paper with the New York State Public Service Commission in order to launch Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s directive to procure at least 800MW of offshore wind by 2019.

Workforce Opportunity of Offshore Wind in New York, one of the studies supporting the Master Plan, found that through a robust and regional offshore wind industry, New York’s workforce and infrastructure could benefit from more than USD 6 billion of public and private sector expenditures, as well as about 5,000 jobs.

Cuomo thus committed USD 15 million to NYSERDA for workforce training to ensure everybody receives the skills needed for all aspects of the offshore wind industry, and to develop port infrastructure. The agency will work with Empire State Development and other state agencies to determine the most promising offshore wind port infrastructure investments.

To assist in the responsible development of offshore wind, New York will form multiple Technical Working Groups consisting of experts and interested parties in different disciplines. The initial groups will focus on offshore wind jobs and supply chain, commercial and recreational fishing, maritime activities, and environmental issues.

“Developing the nation’s offshore wind resource is an unparalleled opportunity for New York to not only lead the nation in adoption of clean energy, but to reap the economic benefits of becoming a national hub for this promising industry,” NYSERDA President and CEO, Alicia Barton, said.

“With Governor Cuomo’s remarkable commitment to a procurement of at least 800 megawatts of large-scale offshore wind projects in 2018 and 2019, New York will solidify its position at the forefront of the developing U.S. offshore wind market, and with it the creation of thousands of well-paying jobs and millions of dollars of investment in our coastal communities.”