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Siting Offshore Wind

 

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the U.S. Department of Interior is responsible for determining where offshore wind development can occur in waters more than three nautical miles from shore. To be developed at scale, offshore wind projects require large swaths of the ocean, as a typical wind farm may contain dozens to hundreds of turbines, with each spaced approximately one mile apart.

In selecting areas of the ocean to lease for offshore wind development, the federal government must consider all existing ocean uses and environmental factors, selecting those areas that maximize the resource potential for offshore wind production while minimizing conflicts within the space.

Learn more about BOEM’s renewable energy programLink opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.: planning, leasing, site assessment, and construction and operations.

NYSERDA Spatial Studies: Deep Water

To support the next frontier of offshore wind development, New York State is undertaking spatial studies to review the feasible potential for deepwater offshore wind development at or exceeding depths of 60 meters in the New York Bight. Findings from the studies will help support the future identification of additional lease areas in the region.

Planning processes considering the development of offshore wind in the deepwater areas examined in each of NYSERDA’s spatial studies must consider these studies in the context of one another. Decision making must additionally consider different stakeholders and uses, and will require further adjusted approaches and offshore wind technologies to ensure the best outcomes.

Offshore Wind Planning in the New York Bight: Studies to Inform Lease Siting

Previous Studies

To assist in the siting process, New York State has spent years conducting extensive research, fieldwork, and public engagement to understand offshore wind and potential areas that offer the most benefit to New York’s electricity consumers and the least overall potential for impacts. Using this growing body of research, NYSERDA makes recommendations to the federal government to help inform the siting of potential offshore wind lease areas.

In support of new wind energy leasing, New York State conducted rigorous fieldwork, analysis, and stakeholder outreach regarding appropriate locations for wind installations off the State’s Atlantic coast. In October 2017, the State recommended an Area for Consideration [PDF] to BOEM. This area was refined through a comprehensive process based on available data and guided by stakeholder feedback, aiming to maximize benefits and minimize conflicts to ocean users. The State submitted extensive information supporting this recommendation, which the State views as best suited for future offshore wind development.

New York Pre-Development Activities

New York State has invested in pre-development activities to gain a better understanding of the physical and environmental conditions in these areas. Offshore Wind pre-development activities include collecting and analyzing field data and other site assessment work that will reduce risks and lower procurement costs for offshore wind, specifically costs to New York State ratepayers, accelerate development timelines and support responsible development with data. In the absence of these activities, developers acquiring new leases would be required to develop and file a Site Assessment Plan (SAP) with BOEM before work can begin. This effectively results in no data collection for a year or more after site acquisition, in addition to another year or more to contract, permit, and acquire the data. By initiating pre-development work in advance of leasing, NYSERDA accelerates data acquisition by more than two years, bringing value to multiple rounds of Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) procurements.

NYSERDA has been investing in pre-development activities since 2016, with additional work ongoing. All work is made publicly available, and, in many cases, the data is being used by developers, regulators, and scientists to better understand the conditions in the New York bight.

Below is a complete list of data collection activities that NYSERDA has or is supporting.

Renewable Energy in the Ocean

While the Atlantic Ocean may look like a vast open space, the northeastern and mid-Atlantic coasts are bustling with marine wildlife and heavily used for human activities, such as transportation, resource extraction, military exercises, shipping, fishing, and more. These marine ecosystems are naturally dynamic, with daily, seasonal, and annual variations in environmental conditions.

Offshore Wind Siting Resources

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Interested in staying up to date with the latest news on New York’s offshore wind industry? Subscribe to the Offshore Wind email list  to receive information about training, workforce development opportunities, and more.

Have a question about offshore wind in New York State? Contact NYSERDA offshore wind staff.