Constriction of Sunset Park wind turbines could begin this spring

SUNSET PARK — The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Thursday approved the Construction and Operations Plan for Equinor’s Empire Wind project, marking another significant milestone in advancing an important New York offshore wind project that will help deliver renewable energy.

With this key permitting action by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management secured, Empire Wind is on track to begin construction on its offshore wind farm off the southern coast of Long Island later this year. Already advanced in planning and development, Empire Wind could deliver first power to New Yorkers by 2026.

In addition, construction to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Marine Terminal on the Sunset Park waterfront into a major hub for offshore wind could begin as early as this spring. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is slated to house an assembly plant for wind turbines, which then would be shipped to the Empire Wind site off Long Island. Currently, the terminal is largely unused, but is home to the Sims Municipal Recycling facility.

“We are ready to get to work,” said Molly Morris, president of Equinor Renewables Americas. “Today’s COP approval follows years of rigorous review and collaboration with BOEM and other federal agencies. Equinor is grateful for a shared commitment to achieving state and federal offshore wind ambitions and Empire Wind is one step closer to delivering renewable power to hundreds of thousands of New York homes.”