New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and CEO Richard M. Kessel Wednesday announced a major public-private initiative for the potential development of wind power projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
NYPA released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to initiate efforts to develop offshore wind projects in the Great Lakes. A Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected before the end of the month.
To carry out the initiative known as the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project, NYPA, with the support of wind power proponents including National Grid, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, state and local environmental organizations, wind power developers and the University of Buffalo, is gathering a wide range of environmental, economic development, technical, financial and other information to serve as the foundation for the possible installation of wind power projects by one or more private wind power developers, sized to a minimum of 120 megawatts (MW).
This project is in support of a key recommendation made by Governor David A. Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force to commit to realizing the potential of wind energy by addressing local siting and permitting issues, and conducting studies to address transmission and infrastructure limitations.
Kessel said: “The Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project has the promise to bring more clean, renewable energy to upstate homes and businesses, and greater prosperity through wind industry jobs.”
NYPA intends to hold public and community forums to gather input as the Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project initiative proceeds.
In parallel to the RFEI process, NYPA will arrange, through the RFP on technical issues, to have siting studies conducted to ascertain optimum areas for locating Great Lakes Offshore Wind Projects. The studies will review the wind resource, impacts on birds, visibility, vessel traffic, and lake bottom conditions. It is anticipated the results of the studies will be included in the RFP.
It is expected this power will be sold to NYPA and others for resale to upstate customers.
The RFEI can be accessed at the link below.
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