Port of Cortlandt details on its New York offshore wind bid

The Port of Cortlandt project, developed by a consortium led by AKRF Inc. and pre-qualified for bidding at the State of New York’s latest offshore wind solicitation, has released more details on the plans to utilise a waterfont site in the Town of Cortlandt for offshore wind activities.

In July, New York announced its second offshore wind solicitation, seeking up to 2,500 MW of projects. The solicitation also includes a multi-port strategy and requirement for offshore wind developers to partner with any of the eleven pre-qualified New York ports to stage, construct, manufacture key components, or coordinate operations and maintenance activities.

Funding for port investments includes up to USD 400 million in public and private funding.

“As part of New York’s effort to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis, a consortium of some of the Hudson Valley’s most accomplished and experienced developers, city planners and environmental experts unveiled a plan to activate Port Cortlandt, one of Westchester County’s most valuable and untapped Hudson River access points, as the state’s next offshore wind economic hub”, the project company Port Cortlandt Development, LLC, states.

The bid with which the developer is competing at the solicitation involves redeveloping a 54-acre waterfront and upland property currently owned by the Town of Cortlandt. The site, located south of Indian Point Energy Center, is scheduled to be shut down next year.

According to the consortium behind the project, the unused property promises to require low construction and operational costs, and the inclusion of adjacent, contiguous properties could allow for a phased development exceeding 180 acres in total.

The proposed site also features natural protection from storm surges and flooding, Port Cortlandt Development said, adding that the type of port infrastructure that the site is ideally suited to provide included that for wind turbine manufacturing, fabrication, storage and launching facilities.

Deadline for submitting bids at this solicitation is 20 October, with NYSERDA expecting New York’s first two offshore wind ports to be operational by 2024.