New York's Largest Offshore Wind Farm, Sunrise Wind, Commences Construction to Combat Climate Change

New York's Largest Offshore Wind Farm, Sunrise Wind, Commences Construction to Combat Climate Change

Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced that construction has begun on Sunrise Wind, New York's largest offshore wind farm. This milestone marks significant progress in the state’s efforts to combat climate change.

The 924-megawatt (MW) Sunrise Wind project, located around 30 miles east of Montauk Point, Long Island, will generate enough clean energy to power nearly 600,000 households. It is expected to be operational by 2026. The project recently received its final permit from the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), allowing construction to begin.

The offshore wind farm features one nautical mile wind turbine spacing and includes detailed construction methodologies and mitigation measures to protect marine habitats and species. Initially a 50-50 partnership between Ørsted and Eversource, Ørsted recently acquired Eversource's stake for $78 million.

Onshore transmission system work is ramping up, with offshore construction slated to start later this year. The offshore power export cable will land at Smith Point County Park in Brookhaven, NY, with a new converter station and an expanded substation in Holbrook, NY.

The project is set to create 800 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs in New York. John R. Durso, president of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, highlighted that local trade union workers will benefit from good-paying jobs both onshore and offshore.

Sunrise Wind has finalized a 25-year offshore wind renewable energy certificate (OREC) contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This agreement will help New York achieve its mandate of 70% renewable electricity by 2030.

Initially canceled during New York’s first offshore wind solicitation in 2019, the project secured viable power purchase agreements in February this year as part of the state’s fourth offshore wind solicitation. Governor Hochul emphasized that advancing offshore wind projects like Sunrise Wind represents a significant step forward in addressing climate change.