Long Island’s expansive access to the Atlantic Ocean is expected to deliver at least 3,000 MW of offshore wind power to the rest of New York by the start of the next decade via a $3.3 billion transmission project announced Tuesday by the state’s grid operator.
Propel Alternate Solution 5 advances the state closer to its goal of 9,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035, NYISO said. The project will be developed by the New York Power Authority and New York Transco in a partnership called Propel NY.
The project is required to be in service by May 2030.
“The selection of Propel Alternate Solution 5 is a critical step forward as the state works to meet its ambitious climate mandates,” said Rich Dewey, NYISO’s president and CEO.
The Long Island Offshore Wind Export Public Policy Transmission Need, or Long Island Need, was initially declared by the state Public Service Commission in March 2021, launching an effort by NYISO, the PSC, developers and stakeholders to address transmission needs in and around Long Island.
The Long Island Need sought to increase electricity exports from Long Island to the rest of the state to ensure access to a minimum of 3,000 MW of offshore wind.
Propel Alternate Solution 5 will add three underground cables connecting Long Island with the rest of the state and a 345 kV transmission line across western and central Long Island. It has has relatively few procurement, permitting and construction risks compared to 15 other proposals that were considered viable and sufficient by the NYISO, the grid operator said.
Propel NY will submit the project to government agencies and authorities for approvals and permits to site, build and operate it.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said in March it’s working on a second offshore wind master plan focusing on development in deeper waters.
In March 2021, New York selected Equinor Wind US to develop a pair of offshore wind facilities off Long Island capable of generating 2,490 MW of power.
