The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development, and the New York Department of Transportation have announced a request for qualifications (RFQL) seeking proposals from port operators and market participants to upgrade New York ports to support the state’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.
This RFQL is the first step in a two-phase process through which New York seeks to pre-qualify proposers and then competitively select proposals for public-private investment opportunities in port infrastructure. Only those proposers who are pre-qualified under this RFQL will be eligible to participate in a subsequent competitive solicitation for up to $200 million to be issued in 2020.
To be eligible, proposers must identify at least one port facility and describe the current level of site control or ability to obtain site control. They will be evaluated based on the demonstrated value and viability of the project.
The plan supports Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s Green New Deal goal to develop 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035.
“With the 13th-largest economy in the world, a wealth of existing port infrastructure and the largest commitment to offshore wind in the nation, New York is uniquely positioned to be the epicenter of this exciting new industry in the U.S.,” states Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Today’s announcement is a major step in advancing the next generation of infrastructure upgrades needed for New York’s ports to support this growing industry while helping us reach economies of scale faster, develop a domestic supply chain more quickly and efficiently, and utilize ports and support developments all along the East Coast.”
This announcement also builds on the recent selection of New York’s first two offshore wind projects, Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind, totaling nearly 1.7 GW.
“Specialized port facilities are essential to the success of the fledgling offshore wind industry in the U.S.,” says Joe Martens, director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA). “NYOWA and its member organizations applaud New York State for initiating a process that will lead to strategic port investments and infrastructure improvements that will maximize in-state jobs and economic development and make New York the offshore wind capital of the U.S.”
A webinar will be held on Oct. 11 with more information.
