Equinor has secured authorisation to connect the 810MW Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project into the NYC transmission system.
FERC approved a large generator interconnection agreement (LGIA), which was executed by Equinor's Empire Wind 1 project, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and the Consolidated Edison Company of New York.
It is the first FERC approval for any offshore wind project to connect directly into the NYC transmission system.
The agreement facilitates the integration of renewable power from the offshore wind project into the NYC electrical grid.
The connection will take place via the Sunset Park onshore substation at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and Con Edison's Gowanus substation.
Equinor Renewables Americas vice-president Teddy Muhlfelder said: “The execution of the LGIA is a key milestone for Empire Wind and for New York City.
“This federal approval marks the culmination of a years-long process under NYISO and is another important step in allowing Equinor to advance a project that will connect offshore renewable power to Brooklyn and into hundreds of thousands of New York homes.”
Con Edison system and transmission operation vice-president Walter Alvarado stated: “Con Edison is building the grid of the future to provide our customers with reliable, renewable, clean energy.
“We are pleased to continue our work with the team from Empire Wind 1 to connect this project to our grid and bring the first offshore wind energy to our customers in New York City.”
In March 2024, Vestas confirmed its previous conditional agreement with Equinor for the supply of turbines for Empire Wind 1.
The project was chosen as a provisional winner in New York's fourth offshore wind solicitation in February 2024.
In January, Equinor and BP finalised a swap transaction that restructured their joint ownership of offshore wind projects in the US.
Equinor assumed full ownership of the Empire Wind lease and projects through Empire Offshore Wind Holdings.
The project received a positive record of decision from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of the US Department of the Interior in November 2023.
