New York’s historic South Brooklyn Marine Terminal was moved toward its new role in offshore wind energy, as state and city officials broke ground for construction on the 73-acre tract.
The terminal will become the operations and maintenance hub for Equinor’s Empire Wind 1, including a control room that measures turbine data and monitors the 54-turbine project. The waterfront acreage will be a staging and pre-assembly site for turbine components. An onshore substation will connect the city’s grid to the 810-megawatt turbine array, on a federal lease 15 to 30 miles offshore, tucked between two shipping traffic separation lanes into New York Harbor.
Equinor says the terminal will be “low-emissions facility with solar power and EV charging stations installed onsite.” The terminal will be the shore power connection for charging the Empire Wind service operations vessel, under long-term charter with Edison Chouest Offshore.
“With the groundbreaking of South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, New York is fueling the redevelopment of the Brooklyn waterfront, bringing important investments to our communities, creating good-paying jobs, and building the model for the offshore wind industry that the rest of the nation can follow,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Today’s groundbreaking at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is a defining moment for Empire Wind 1 and for the long-term renewable energy ambitions of New York State and beyond,” said Molly Morris, President of Equinor Renewables Americas. “We are proud to restore this historic working waterfront in Brooklyn and grateful for the shared commitment to offshore wind shown by this community and by city, state, and federal leaders who made this milestone possible.”
Equinor and New York political leaders touted future economic benefits – after many months of setbacks and political pressures from the need to renegotiate offshore wind power purchase agreements. Hochul announced June 4 new agreements keep New York’s flagship wind projects on track, after the developers in October sought higher prices to meet their reality of sharply rising costs.
At a new “strike price” of $155 per megawatt-hour, Empire Wind’s cost will be up from $118.39 in the original contract.
“Following a final investment decision, Equinor plans to use project financing, with financial close anticipated by end of 2024,” Equinor officials said earlier this month. Equinor intends to bring in a partner to reduce financial exposure.”
The city-owned terminal redevelopment is being undertaken by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and terminal operator Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (a joint venture of Red Hook Terminals and Brooklyn redevelopers Industry City).
