Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, along with Equinor Wind US President Molly Morris, have announced the groundbreaking of the nation’s largest dedicated offshore wind port at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT). This transformative project aims to propel the state toward its ambitious climate goals, while simultaneously rejuvenating the Brooklyn waterfront and creating significant economic opportunities.
The SBMT will serve as a central hub for the Empire Wind 1 project, delivering 810 megawatts of renewable electricity to New York, enough to power nearly 500,000 homes in Brooklyn. The construction phase is set to generate over 1,000 union jobs, bolstering the local economy and supporting the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) goal of developing 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.
Governor Hochul emphasized the project’s dual impact on sustainable development and economic revitalization. “With the groundbreaking of South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, New York is fueling the redevelopment of the Brooklyn waterfront, bringing important investments to our communities, creating good-paying jobs, and building the model for the offshore wind industry that the rest of the nation can follow,” she said.
Mayor Adams echoed these sentiments, highlighting the initiative’s role in achieving the city’s climate targets. “Today, we are powering up New York’s clean energy economy and creating more than 1,000 union jobs for working-class New Yorkers. This project will significantly reduce our carbon footprint and ensure our city meets our climate goals of 100-percent clean electricity by 2040 and carbon neutrality by 2050,” Adams remarked.
The SBMT, a 73-acre site, is set to become a state-of-the-art facility for offshore wind operations, including an onshore substation that will connect the offshore wind turbines to New York City’s electricity grid at the Gowanus Substation. The completion of construction at SBMT is expected by the end of 2026, positioning the terminal as a pivotal player in the state’s green energy landscape.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris highlighted the project’s significance in the transition to renewable energy, stating, “The modernization and expansion of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is a game changer for the offshore wind industry, not only in New York, but in the U.S.”
The collaboration between state and city officials, Equinor, and community stakeholders underscores a unified commitment to advancing offshore wind power, with a vision to make New York a national leader in this burgeoning industry. As the project progresses, it promises to create thousands of jobs, foster local economic growth, and provide a robust model for sustainable development.
