The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has executed the Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA) between Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 project, New York ISO and Consolidated Edison of New York, marking the first FERC approval for an offshore wind project to connect directly into the New York City transmission system.
FERC’s approval allows the project to connect through the Sunset Park Onshore Substation at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) and into the city electrical grid at Con Edison’s Gowanus substation, delivering an expected 810 MW.
The 73-acre South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is set to transform into a dedicated port facility for offshore wind and will support the staging and assembly of turbine components for Empire Wind and other East Coast projects. It will also serve as the O&M hub for Empire Wind 1 as well as the site of the project’s onshore substation.
“The execution of the LGIA is a key milestone for Empire Wind and for New York City,” says Teddy Muhlfelder, vice president of Equinor Renewables Americas. “This federal approval marks the culmination of a years-long process under NYISO and is another important step in allowing Equinor to advance a project that will connect offshore renewable power to Brooklyn and into hundreds of thousands of New York homes.”
SBMT is being redeveloped together with New York City Economic Development Corporation and terminal operator Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, a joint venture of Red Hook Terminals and Industry City.
