Ørsted’s 924MW Sunrise Wind Project Gets Green Light from US Department of the Interior

June 21, 2024 –The Sunrise Wind project has received final approval from the US Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). This approval marks the culmination of a thorough environmental review and paves the way for the construction of the state’s largest offshore wind project.

With a capacity of 924 MW, Sunrise Wind will generate enough clean energy to power nearly 600,000 homes in New York, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by over 1.7 million tons annually. The project is a crucial component of New York’s ambitious plan to reach 9,000 MW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

The Sunrise Wind project, located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk, New York, will feature wind turbines spaced one nautical mile apart. The project’s construction and operations plan (COP) outlines measures to protect marine habitats and species, as well as the construction methodology for all work occurring in federal ocean waters. Offshore construction is expected to begin later this year, with the project slated for completion in 2026.

David Hardy, Executive Vice President and CEO of Region Americas at Ørsted, expressed his appreciation for the approval, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein, federal, state, and local leaders, and external organizations. Ørsted and Eversource, the project’s co-developers, have demonstrated their commitment to stakeholder engagement and environmental responsibility.

With this final approval in place, the Sunrise Wind team will accelerate work on the onshore transmission system. The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs and stimulate economic development in the region. The recent finalization of the 25-year offshore wind renewable energy certificate (OREC) contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has also secured a stable revenue stream for the project.