Despite challenges, offshore wind in New York is thriving.
In late 2023, the South Fork Wind Farm off Montauk's coast began producing 130 megawatts of power for Long Islanders.
New York's involvement in offshore wind goes beyond putting it in its waters. The Port of Albany has been working to help manufacture wind towers. It will produce, store, and deliver tower sections for the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal for staging.
Megan Daly, chief commerce officer for the Port of Albany, said it will benefit the state's move to a climate-friendly future.
"Not only will this be contributing to solutions for climate change, frankly it is going to be reaching into the adjacent environmental justice communities that will also be able to participate in the labor force and generational careers here," Daly explained.
Both the Port of Albany and the Port of Coeymans are economic engines in the Capital Region. They'll be able to support up to 10,000 construction jobs, create more than 3,200 jobs in the wind energy sector and add $1 billion in wages during the first year of operation, all part of New York's burgeoning green economy. A 2019 New York State Comptroller report showed an 85% increase in demand for green jobs.
Aside from contract terminations, offshore wind is also battling misinformation. New Jersey residents have been concerned about potential effects to marine and bird life.
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Categories: New York, Energy, Weather