Green Innovations

Developing renewable and clean technology companies in New York

Thursday, June 24, 2010

NYPA begins review process for Great Lakes Offshore Wind Project

New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel came to Syracuse today to talk about the start of a multi-phase review process for five proposals vying to construct the Great Lakes Offshore Wind (GLOW) project or projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario. The session was part of a forum hosted by the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO) to connect with wind component manufacturers and suppliers as part of the process. More than 80 companies attended the event designed to broker supply chain relationships between the successful developers and New York companies.

During the NYPA initial review phase, the proposals are being evaluated by a team of NYPA staff and its consultant specialists to determine which best meet the requirements set forth in the RFP. This is expected to take about six to seven months/ Following that review NYPA trustees are expected to select a preferred developer(s) by early 2011, pending successful contract negotiations. The preferred developer(s) will then begin regulatory and environmental reviews which will include additional public input.

The regulatory and environmental review process is expected to take about two years.  Construction is expected to take approximately two to three years following contract signing.  The project -- which would be the first off-shore fresh water wind project in North America -- could begin operation in late 2015 or early 2016.

Companies in Syracuse today participated in a "Get Listed!" NYPA initiative to develop a business registery of companies who are capable of supplying products or services for project GLOW.   The successful bidder will have to demonstrate how it is using NYS goods and services, as part of the competitive review process.

For more information:  www.nypa.gov