New York and Denmark Boost Offshore Wind Ties

The State of New York and Denmark have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand an ongoing partnership on the development and procurement of offshore wind energy.

The new MoU builds on the existing partnership between the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate on offshore wind development.

Expertise and knowledge will be exchanged while developing innovative solutions for the development of offshore wind energy, including areas such as infrastructure, supply chain, workforce development, and procurement solutions.

This collaborative partnership will build upon the foundation of the New York State Offshore Wind Master Plan, which was released in 2018 by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and moves the state closer to its goal to develop 9,000MW of offshore wind by 2035.

“Today’s MOU signing with the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate is another example of Governor Cuomo’s unwavering commitment to growing New York’s clean energy economy while combatting climate change,” NYSERDA President and CEO Alicia Barton said.

”Developing offshore wind will bring tremendous value to the entire state through decarbonization and economic development and with this partnership, we will continue to collaborate with Denmark not only on advancing this incredible renewable energy resource but addressing one of the most globally-pressing issues of our time.”

Denmark is one of the leading offshore wind energy producers in Europe with the third-largest market for offshore wind comprising of fifteen operational wind farms totaling over 1,700MW.

”New York and Denmark have both recently set some very ambitious clean energy targets,” Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jørgensen said.

”Through our strong partnership, Denmark will continue to support the ambitious offshore wind buildout in New York in the coming years. At the same time Denmark will benefit from experiences gained from the greening of New York’s economy and its strong focus on offshore wind over the coming years. We are proud to be able to work with New York on its tremendous journey towards a clean energy future.”

In July, Governor Cuomo announced New York’s first two offshore wind projects – Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind – totaling nearly 1,700MW, representing the single large renewable energy procurement by any state in US history. Combined, the projects, which offered prices approximately 40 percent less than expected compared to analysis completed in early 2018, will create more than 1,600 jobs and result in USD 3.2 billion in economic activity including major investments to upgrade existing New York ports in downstate New York and up the Hudson River to the Capital Region.