New York State approves 810MW offshore wind farm construction

The New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has granted the Equinor-managed Empire Wind offshore wind project its final approval, authorising the project to begin construction on a new 810MW offshore wind farm south of Long Island.

The project will continue progress towards achievement of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to develop 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.

The approval will allow Equinor via its Equinor US division to commence the project's construction phase.

The Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) that was issued recently authorises the construction and operation of transmission facilities for the delivery of electricity into New York from the offshore wind farm.

The approved transmission facilities that will be located within New York's jurisdiction include:

• Two 230kV alternating current submarine transmission cables extending from the boundary of New York State waters (three nautical miles from shore) to the cable landfall in Brooklyn;
• A 0.2-mile (0.32-kilometre) long onshore cable route including two 230kV alternating current transmission cables buried underground connecting to an onshore substation;
• An onshore substation located at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal that will increase the voltage to 345 kV; and
• Two 345kV alternating current onshore transmission cables buried underground from the onshore substation to a Point of Interconnection with Consolidated Edison Company of New York's existing Gowanus 345kV substation in Brooklyn

On December 18, 2023, pursuant to PSL Article VII, the PSC granted a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need, authorising Empire Wind to construct, operate, and maintain the facilities. As the commission found, the facilities satisfy a public need and the adverse impacts to the environment have been minimised to the maximum extent practicable given the state of available technology, the nature and economics of various alternatives, and all other pertinent considerations.

The scheduled commercial operation date is 2027.