Image Source: Equinor
Under the award, Equinor and incoming strategic partner bp will provide 1,260 megawatts of offshore wind power from Empire Wind 2, and another 1,230 MW of power from Beacon Wind 1 - adding to the existing commitment to provide New York with 816 MW of renewable power from Empire Wind 1 - totaling 3.3 gigawatts of power to the State. The execution of the procurement award is subject to the successful negotiation of a purchase and sale agreement, which the partnership looks forward to finalizing together with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
As part of the award by NYSERDA, the companies will partner with the State to transform two venerable New York ports - the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) and the Port of Albany - into large-scale offshore wind working industrial facilities that position New York to become an offshore wind industry hub.
"These projects will deliver homegrown, renewable electricity to New York and play a major role in the State's ambitions of becoming a global offshore wind hub. The U.S. East Coast is one of the most attractive growth markets for offshore wind in the world. The successful bids for Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind 1 represent a game-changer for our offshore wind business in the U.S. and underline Equinor's commitment to be a leading company in the energy transition. These projects will also create value through economies of scale and support our strategic ambition of becoming a global offshore wind major," says Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor.
"Together, Equinor and the State of New York will create a robust offshore wind supply chain capable of manufacturing, assembling, and staging these projects at scale. As Equinor works to expand its renewable energy presence across the United States and the globe, New York's leadership clearly illustrates the transformative benefits of offshore wind on climate goals and economic activity alike. We are looking forward to developing Empire Wind and Beacon Wind together with local authorities, communities and our incoming partner bp in growing this new industry," says Siri Espedal Kindem, President of Equinor Wind U.S.
Taken together, these offshore wind projects will help the State's economic rebound and strengthen disadvantaged communities while helping the State achieve its nation-leading renewable energy goals.
About South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT)
About Port of Albany
About the Assets
In September 2020, Equinor and bp announced that they formed a strategic partnership for offshore wind in the U.S., and that bp will be a 50 percent partner in the Equinor-operated Empire Wind and Beacon Wind assets on the U.S. East Coast. The transaction is expected to close in early 2021.
About Equinor
Equinor is developing into a broad energy company, building a material position in renewable energy. Equinor now powers more than one million European homes with renewable offshore wind from four projects in the United Kingdom and Germany. Equinor commissioned the world's first floating offshore wind farm in 2017 off the coast of Scotland. In the U.S., Equinor holds two lease areas, the Empire Wind lease area located approximately 20 miles south of Long Island, and the Beacon Wind lease area that lies 60 miles off the coast of Long Island.