The NYPA has released an RFP for the development of offshore wind power projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario. Final proposals are due June 1, 2010.
On December 1, 2009, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) released a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of offshore wind power projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario.
The NYPA is soliciting proposals for the development of a utility scale, offshore wind power project totaling approximately 120-500 megawatts. The project would interconnect with new or existing transmission facilities of the NYPA, National Grid, New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric, which are all controlled by the New York Independent System Operator. The NYPA would purchase the full output of the wind power project under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).
The RFP process will culminate in PPA negotiations to be completed by May 31, 2011. The date for submitting a notice of intent to submit a proposal is March 20, 2010, with questions concerning the RFP accepted until April 9, 2010. Final proposals are due June 1, 2010. The NYPA expects to award winning projects by December 2010.
Respondents may propose projects located anywhere in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario. The NYPA will evaluate respondents based on various threshold, administrative and financial/technical requirements. Additionally, the NYPA will give more favorable consideration to proposals that include long-term economic benefits for the region, conformity with New York State's energy policy goals, firm pricing and price certainty, a target commercial operation date in 2015 and a strong likelihood of public acceptance.
For more information on offshore wind developments, see McDermott's previous articles on this subject:
- DOI Releases Final Rule Regarding Renewable Energy Generation on the Outer Continental Shelf (www.mwe.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/publications.nldetail/object_id/d84403d7-e124-4f4f-819f-4e25e8434f88.cfm
- Minerals Management Service's Federal Regulatory Scheme for Offshore Renewable Energy (www.mwe.com/info/pubs/Bloomberg_Minerals.pdf)
For the full RFP, click here (www.nypa.gov/NYPAwindpower/REQUEST%20FOR%20PROPOSALS.htm).
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
