The conference held yesterday in Melville has gathered about 100 people, who reached a conclusion on offshore wind development off the Long Island coast as a part of New York State’s clean energy portfolio.
The attendees of the conference confirmed the fact that Long Island has a great potential in sea-based wind power, with its rather low water depths and high winds.
However, issues which remain are the costs of project development and identifying the appropriate site for deployment of offshore wind turbines.
Yet, for some time now, wind turbines are more convenient and economical due to their constant technological improvement. The Long Island Business News site quotes Energy Chairman for the Long Island chapter of the Sierra Club, Peter Gollon, as saying that after offshore wind farm construction there are only maintenance costs left.
Two offshore wind projects are being considered for this area. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in a joint venture with the New York Power Authority and Consolidated Edison is planning a 700 MW project, while Deepwater Wind has a 900 MW proposal.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND staff, August 1, 2012; Image: DONG Energy