Construction of over half the components of the Sunrise Wind Foundation project is complete, with offshore construction set to begin in 2025.
The Sunrise Wind project, led by Ørsted, is gearing up for offshore construction in 2025, marking a significant step forward in New York's clean energy transition. This ambitious offshore wind development promises substantial economic impact and job creation, with partnerships with local unions and companies like Riggs Distler playing a key role.
Ørsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer, is actively financing Sunrise Wind despite economic and political challenges. The project represents a substantial investment, with proceeds from Ørsted’s recent $9.4 billion fundraising plan partly allocated to cover the costs of Sunrise Wind.
The project involves partnerships with unionized local contractors like Riggs Distler, which supports family-sustaining jobs through union labor engagement. While precise job counts linked to these partnerships are not detailed in the available search results, New York's clean energy policy explicitly targets substantial economic and job growth tied to offshore wind projects like Sunrise Wind.
The construction at the Port of Coeymans is covered by a Project Labor Agreement with the Greater Capital Region Building and Construction Trades Council. More than 120 tradespeople from local unions are contributing to the construction of these advanced foundation components for the Sunrise Wind farm.
The work to construct these turbine foundation components for Sunrise Wind represents more than USD 86 million investment by the developer into New York's supply chain. The turbine foundation components range in size from 12 to 120 tonnes each and are as tall as 40 feet.
The success of the 130 MW South Fork Wind, the nation's first commercial-scale wind farm, builds on the Sunrise Wind project. In July, Ørsted began onshore, underground transmission system construction for Sunrise Wind on Long Island, creating more than 400 union jobs on Long Island, led by local contractor Haugland Energy Group.
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, made this statement: "The Sunrise Wind project is a major milestone in our state's ambitious clean energy goals. It will not only power nearly 600,000 New York homes and businesses, but it will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the state."
Ørsted's partnership with Riggs Distler is creating opportunities for companies and workers across New York. The steel components for the turbine foundations are being manufactured by LJUNGSTRÖM LLC, of Wellsville, in Alleghany County, New York.
While federal regulatory uncertainties pose challenges, New York remains committed to offshore wind and related economic benefits, including Sunrise Wind’s anticipated contribution to lowering electricity costs and supporting the clean energy workforce. Despite these challenges, the project's economic and job creation potentials remain significant for New York’s clean energy future.
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