Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
NEW YORK -- Today, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded the fourth round of offshore wind power purchase agreements to Empire Wind 1 (Equinor) and Sunrise Wind (Orsted and Eversource). The development of Empire Wind 1 will provide 810 megawatts of energy and Sunrise Wind will provide 924 megawatts of energy, which together will power one million homes in New York once operational. Sunrise
Wind is expected to be operational in 2026 and Empire Wind 1 in 2027.
New York’s Climate Act requires the state to produce 70 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources by 2030 and develop at least 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, which will be enough to power 6 million homes.
In response, Sierra Club New York Field Manager David Alicea issued the following statement:
“Today’s announcement represents another critical step toward protecting public health, creating family-supporting jobs, and stabilizing electricity prices for New Yorkers. These projects will create millions of dollars of investment in New York communities and are critical to retiring the outdated and inefficient fracked gas plants that harm our climate and the everyday health of New Yorkers.
“The Sierra Club thanks Governor Hochul for expediting this procurement process. We encourage the Governor and state agencies to ensure contracted projects are swiftly and responsibly built and to continue a steady stream of new offshore wind projects to ensure we meet our 2030 renewable energy targets.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.