The New York State Public Service Commission has approved a transmission line that will deliver electricity from the Sunrise Wind Farm, a proposed wind farm off the coast of Long Island, to the existing electrical grid in New York.
The 25-mile offshore/onshore transmission line will carry electricity from the wind farm to an existing substation in Brookhaven, Suffolk County.
“New York is taking bold action to address the climate crisis, and projects like Sunrise Wind demonstrate our leadership on clean energy,” Gov. Kathy Hochul says. “As we work to advance our nation-leading climate goals and create the jobs of the future, offshore wind projects will be critical to deliver clean energy to all New Yorkers.”
At 924 MW, the proposed Sunrise Wind farm located in federal waters is the largest offshore wind farm yet that would be connected to New York’s electric grid. The wind farm project, which has the potential capacity to power nearly 600,000 homes, is being developed as a partnership between Ørsted and Eversource, with support from Con Edison Transmission and the New York Power Authority, who will assist the development of the transmission facilities needed to deliver the offshore wind energy to the electric transmission grid.
The developers expect the offshore wind farm will be fully operational by 2025, resulting in a direct investment of more than $408 million in New York. The transmission line approved by the Commission is being built by Sunrise Wind, LLC. Additionally, Sunrise Wind is entering negotiations with New York State contractors and trade labor organizations on a project labor agreement to cover construction activities for the project, and committing to paying prevailing wages.
“Offshore projects like Sunrise will play a key role in developing clean-energy for New York State and will help New York achieve its nation-leading renewable energy goals,” states New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Our decision today protects the public interest and ensures any potential significant negative impacts of the transmission project are avoided or minimized. Today’s Sunrise decision is a win for Long Island, and a win for all New Yorkers because it represents another step in the transition to cleaner energy and will create jobs and opportunities for individuals and industries.”
“This announcement by Governor Hochul is an important step in the process to bring clean, renewable power to Long Island, while also creating hundreds of jobs for New Yorkers. Suffolk County is eager to continue to work with New York State to ensure this critical project can be completed and the windmills can start turning,” adds Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.
The joint proposal adopted was unopposed by any party and was signed by Sunrise Wind LLC, Department of Public Service Staff, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of State, Department of Transportation, and the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association. The agreement will protect the public interest and will ensure potential significant negative impacts of the transmission project are avoided or minimized. The next step in the process includes Commission approval of the transmission project’s environmental management and construction plan prior to construction.
The approved transmission project includes a high-voltage, 320 kV, DC submarine export cable bundle up to 5.2 miles long that will enter New York State territorial waters 3 nautical miles from land. The transmission line will then transition from an offshore cable to an onshore cable that will travel up to 17.2 miles to an onshore converter station. New York State selected Sunrise Wind, a 924 MW wind farm that will be located more than 30 miles east of Montauk Point, as part of NYSERDA’s inaugural competitive 2018 offshore wind solicitation. Construction is anticipated to start as early as 2023, with the wind farm expected to be fully operational in 2025.
