New York Plans to Launch Fifth Offshore Wind Solicitation This Summer

April 24, 2024, by Adnan Memija

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans to launch the fifth offshore wind solicitation (NY5) this summer. In addition, Governor Hochul announced on 23 April that a USD 200 million Supportive Manufacturing and Logistics Request for Proposals (RFP) is open to support infrastructure investments in the state’s domestic offshore wind supply chain.

The news comes after the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) cancelled three offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of over 4 GW due to ”technical and commercial complexities between provisional awardees and their partners”.

In October 2023, NYSERDA provisionally awarded three offshore wind projects, the 1,404 MW Attentive Energy One, developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light & Power, and Corio Generation, the 1,314 MW Community Offshore Wind, developed by RWE Offshore Renewables and National Grid Ventures, and the 1,314 MW Excelsior Wind, developed by Vineyard Offshore.

However, it cancelled the projects in April 2024 due to ”technical and commercial complexities between provisional awardees and their partners”.

On 23 April, NYSERDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) to invite industry stakeholders to review and comment on the potential structure of the next Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (ORECs) solicitation (NY5) and a coordinated USD 300 million Major Component Supply Chain Request for Proposals (RFP). Responses are due on 21 May 2024.

Following the RFI, NYSERDA plans to launch the fifth offshore wind solicitation this summer which will run in parallel with the supply chain solicitation.

The Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate solicitation originally planned for release late in 2024 in coordination with the New York City Public Policy Transmission Needs (PPTN) process will be launched in 2025, according to the Governor’s office.

Based on industry feedback collected through RFI in 2023, NYSERDA’s competitive supply chain development solicitation is seeking proposals for Tier 2 to Tier 4 infrastructure and manufacturing facilities.

Proposers to the supply chain RFP will be required to demonstrate how State funding will leverage significant private investments in supply chain projects and are encouraged to demonstrate that the funds awarded by the state are the final funds needed to develop a project. Proposals are due on 13 August 2024.

“New York is solidifying its leadership role in the offshore wind industry, building the supply chain right here in the State to build the industry and drive down costs. This commitment and momentum will help us realize a future where clean energy powers our grid, creates long-term jobs, and boosts our economy,” said Governor Hochul.

NYSERDA launched the fourth, expedited offshore wind solicitation in December 2023 in which Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 and Ørsted and Eversource’s Sunrise Wind projects were selected.