Offshore Wind Wire

By Peter Brennan

The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees voted today to end an effort to develop an offshore wind project on the Great Lakes.

The NYPA announced that it would end its competitive solicitation process for the proposed wind farm without choosing a developer. The Trustees cited the higher than average cost of offshore wind electricity and the current economic climate as justification for the decision.

The project, however, was cast in doubt in May when NYPA board chairman Michael Townsend said that he doesn’t “think that project is very viable at this time, politically or economically.”

NYPA officials said that the organization is still interested in developing offshore wind projects.

“While deciding not to proceed with [the Great Lakes Offshore Wind project], the Power Authority will continue its commitment to developing and implementing wind and other clean alternative energy sources to produce emissions-free power for the benefit of New Yorkers today and for future generations,” said Gil Quiniones, the acting president and chief executive officer, NYPA. “The Power Authority’s participation in the evaluation of the LI-NYC Offshore Wind Project and in the regional efforts of such organizations as the Great Lakes Commission and the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative shows NYPA’s dedication to affordable and environmentally-sound development of future offshore wind projects in New York State waters.”

NYPA staff reportedly reviewed five proposals and determined the project is technically feasible but prohibitively expensive.