Jack-up vessel, Jill, off Wainscott, Long Island in 2021 for the construction of South Fork Wind Farm. Credit: Gwen Gallagher — see “NYSG's Public Participation Guide Helps Communities Engage in the Offshore Wind Development Process”

History of Offshore Wind in New York State: Offshore wind energy was first procured in New York State with South Fork Wind Farm. In 2017, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) privately procured 130 MW to meet the local electricity needs of South Fork Long Island. Construction began for the project in 2022 and the first wind turbine was made operational in December 2023.

In 2018, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) began launching solicitations for offshore wind energy on behalf of New York State. The first solicitation in 2018 resulted in energy procured from Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind. The second solicitation in 2020 resulted in energy procured from Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind. NYSERDA released a third solicitation in 2022 to meet the state’s goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.

Additionally, New York State investigated the possibility of offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes. In 2022, NYSERDA released the New York Great Lakes Wind Energy Feasibility Study, which ultimately did not support development in the Great Lakes.

New York Sea Grant Products: 

• Federal Opportunities to Participate in Offshore Wind

• Overview of New York State’s Great Lakes Wind Energy Feasibility Study
In 2022, NYSERDA released the New York Great Lakes Wind Energy Feasibility Study, which ultimately did not recommend prioritizing offshore wind development in Lake Erie or Lake Ontario. New York Sea Grant created a short, one-page guide detailing the highlights.

Learn about the offshore renewable energy research funded by the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center and U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and Water Power Technologies Office. 


Additional Links and Resources:

• Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act - In 2019, New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act was passed, which mandates 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.

• New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) - Coordinates offshore wind energy procurement for New York State. They have procured energy from 4 projects and opened their third solicitation in 2022.

— New York State Fisheries Technical Working Group - The Fisheries Technical Working Group (F-TWG) consists of representatives from commercial fisheries and offshore wind developers. Its purpose is to help responsibly develop offshore wind while protecting fisheries and fishing communities.

— New York State Environmental Technical Working Group - The Environmental Technical Working Group consists of representatives from science-based environmental non-governmental organizations, state and federal wildlife regulatory agencies, and offshore wind developers. Its purpose is to help develop offshore wind in an environmentally responsible manner.

• Fisheries Mitigation Project – New York is one of 11 states working on establishing a regional fund administrator for fisheries compensatory mitigation.

• BOEM State Activity Page - Learn more about New York’s offshore wind projects and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. New York’s projects can be found under NY, RI, MA, and New York Bight.

• NY State’s Offshore Wind Training Site - Explore offshore wind career pathways and training opportunities in New York State.