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Equinor and bp jointly bid into New York’s third offshore wind solicitation (NY3) today.
Equinor and bp’s bid, submitted to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in response to the state’s most recent offshore wind energy solicitation, would provide New York with renewable energy from the Beacon Wind 2 lease area located about 60 miles off the eastern tip of Long Island.
Capable of producing 1,360 MW of offshore wind energy, Beacon Wind 2 has the potential to power about 1 million New York homes, generate more than $11 billion in new economic activity in the state over the project life cycle and create thousands of jobs. Power from Beacon Wind 2 would complement the 3.3 GWs of potential offshore wind generating capacity for New York State currently under development by Equinor and bp with the Empire Wind 1 and 2 and Beacon Wind 1 projects.
New York aims to generate at least 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Beacon Wind recently purchased the site of the Astoria Gas Turbines, with the potential to bring offshore wind from Beacon Wind 1 and Beacon Wind 2 directly to New York City, transforming the site into The Astoria Gateway for Renewable Energy, giving Queens a leading role in the state’s energy transition.
Equinor and bp’s proposal includes new manufacturing plants capable of creating renewable energy career opportunities in the Capital Region. The proposal includes a facility to produce cable components for offshore wind projects both locally and around the world.
Additionally, working with offshore wind turbine manufacturers, Equinor and bp propose to support the establishment of facilities to manufacture wind turbine components, such as blades and nacelles, in New York State. These significant new manufacturing and supply chain initiatives build on the companies’ current investments in New York’s supply chain.
Equinor and bp’s proposal includes investing $50 million in pioneering a regional collaborative of community organizations, NGOs, community and state colleges and training facilities to help workers gain the skills and support needed, to participate in, and benefit from, New York’s growing offshore wind industry. Funds would be dedicated to providing awareness, mentorship and coaching, and accessibility and job opportunities in historically marginalized communities – including industry workforce training programs, minority/women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) capacity building programs, and programs at educational institutions statewide, according to bp press release.
The companies’ proposal also includes options to accelerate New York’s renewable energy transition with energy storage to help curtail emissions and support grid resilience.
If accepted, the proposal would bring Equinor and bp’s total community benefit and environmental monitoring commitments in New York to more than $150 million, which includes approximately $90 million in investments in community benefits, workforce development and environmental initiatives already underway as part of the Empire 1 and 2, and Beacon 1 projects.
