Norwegian firm Equinor was selected to provide the State of New York with offshore wind power in one of the largest renewable energy procurements in the US to date, the company announced in a statement late Wednesday.
With this award, Equinor and strategic partner BP will provide a total of 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of power to the State - 1,260 megawatts (MW) of renewable offshore wind power will come from the Empire Wind 2 plant, and another 1,230 MW of power from the Beacon Wind 1 plant, adding to the existing commitment to provide New York with 816 MW of renewable power from the Empire Wind 1 plant.
'As part of the award by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (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,' the statement read.
According to the statement, these offshore wind projects will help the State’s economic rebound and strengthen disadvantaged communities while helping it achieve its nation-leading renewable energy goals.
In September 2020, Equinor and BP announced that they formed a strategic partnership for offshore wind in the US. BP will be a 50% partner in the Equinor-operated Empire Wind and Beacon Wind assets on the US East Coast.
The transaction is expected to close in early 2021.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr