One of the Largest Offshore Wind Farms Receives Further Approval To Continue

Long Island Morning Edition

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One of the largest offshore wind farms planned for Long Island received another important approval from the federal government yesterday, while its developer gave the formal OK to move ahead with investing in the multi-billion-dollar project. Mark Harrington reports on Newsday.com that the federal government approval of a “record of decision” for Sunrise Wind is among the last the 84-turbine project needs before construction can begin, as early as next year. Sunrise Wind developer Orsted, of Denmark, said it expects the federal government to approve the final permit — its construction and operation plan — this summer, with completion expected in 2026. Orsted recently completed the 12-turbine South Fork Wind Farm earlier this month.

Both are in the waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with the Sunrise Wind power cable running more than 100 miles to Smith Point County Park before it begins a 17.5-mile journey through Brookhaven to a substation in Holtsville.

The record of decision announced Tuesday indicates that the 924-megawatt project will operate with fewer turbines than originally planned.

Most of the project’s power will enter the Long Island grid at Holtsville, and will be among the green-energy projects that are slated to replace fossil-fuel-powered natural gas plants over the next 25 years. Most Long Island power plants have contracts expiring in the next four years.

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Strains in the working relationship between LIPA and its contractor, PSEG Long Island, have hindered the utility’s ability to resolve risks and meet green-energy goals, according to a state audit. The audit found that while PSEG had seen steady improvements in reliability since 2018, other problems loom large as LIPA embarks on critical decisions about its future. Mark Harrington reports on Newsday.com that the findings come as another top LIPA official, Mujib Lodhi, announced on Monday he was leaving the utility after chief executive officer Tom Falcone announced his departure last week. Both come as Gov. Kathy Hochul has hired a new slate of board members at LIPA and turned a more critical eye on LIPA operations rather than PSEG.

LIPA has been planning for two years to separate vital computer systems from those controlled by PSEG in New Jersey, but the process has been beset by delays. Any delay could work in PSEG’s favor by making it difficult for any new service provider to take over from PSEG in the future, should LIPA decide to hire a new one.

Among the problems: PSEG “made the decision to refuse to make its employees available” to LIPA officials to discuss critical aspects of the plan. “Notably,” the audit emphasized, PSEG’s refusal was “inconsistent with LIPA’s rights” under its $80 million a year contract with PSEG.

Still, the report found that PSEG has a “well-structured” organization and program to forecast electric use on Long Island, and that system reliability under PSEG remains among the best in the state. But it also found deficiencies in renewable energy and efficiency programs, including some that could slow the utility’s ability to meet key goals in the state climate law.