The master plan issued by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo includes identification of the most favorable areas for potential offshore wind energy development.
It also addresses mechanisms to procure offshore wind energy at the lowest cost to ratepayers; recommends measures to mitigate potential impacts of offshore wind energy development; and identifies infrastructure requirements and assesses existing facilities.
As part of its efforts to boost renewable energy capacity, the state will issue requests for proposals (RfPs) of up to 800MW offshore wind power in 2018 and 2019.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has filed an offshore wind policy options paper with the New York State Public Service Commission to launch the directive to procure the 800MW of offshore wind.
The state has also committed to invest $15m in training local workforce to develop skills required for the offshore wind industry jobs. New York Governor Cuomo has directed state agencies to assess the ways to develop port infrastructure to support the industry and make the state the next home for offshore wind power.
The state government expects that the offshore wind industry has the potential to create up to 2000 jobs in operations and maintenance, 2700 jobs in manufacturing and 350 jobs in project management and development.
Governor Cuomo said: "While the federal government continues to turn its back on protecting natural resources and plots to open up our coastline to drilling, New York is doubling down on our commitment to renewable energy and the industries of tomorrow.
"We are drawing upon our world-class workforce, unmatched intellectual capital, physical infrastructure and financial institutions to develop this increasingly affordable clean energy source that creates good paying jobs while protecting Long Island's natural beauty and quality of life."
Image: New York plans to invest up to $6bn in 2.4GW in offshore wind by 2030. Photo: Courtesy of John Nyberg/FreeImages.com.
