Deepwater PPA still unconfirmed

UNITED STATES: Deepwater Wind and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) are still negotiating a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the developer's 90MW offshore wind project off New York.

by Ros Davidson 21 December 2016

Deepwater's Block Island is now online but South Fork project is still negotiating a PPA

The Deepwater One South Fork project is planned for federal waters 48km east of Montauk, Long Island.

LIPA staff had recommended that the state-owned utility’s board of trustees approve the project as long ago as July.

Supporters gathered outside the board meeting on 20 December. The next meeting is on 25 January.

The trustees must separately approve both the project and a PPA, which is expected to be for 20 years.

"We continue to have very productive discussions with LIPA, and we expect to finalise a power-purchase agreement early in the new year," said Deepwater CEO Jeff Grybowski.

An online date of 2022 is projected.

The project will use 15 6MW turbines.

It is the first phase of Deepwater’s 1GW Deepwater One project, for which the developer has a lease from the federal government.

New York state plans to reach 50% renewable energy by 2030.