New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has made a commitment to procure at least 800MW of offshore windpower over the next two years to supply around 400,000 households with electricity.
Cuomo said: “New Yorkers know too well the devastation caused by climate change, and in order to slow the effects of extreme weather and build our communities to be stronger and more resilient, we must make significant investments in renewable energy.
“With this proposal, New York is taking bold action to fight climate change and protect our environment, while supporting and growing 21st-century jobs in these cutting-edge renewable industries.”
Cuomo has also announced plans to install 1.5GW of energy storage in the state by 2025.
In addition, New York state will receive at least $200m from NY Green Bank for storage-related investments.
The state aims to cut emissions from existing fossil fuel power plants by strengthening the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and welcoming new state members. Cuomo has also directed the Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt regulations to end the use of coal in the state’s power plants by 2020.
In the 2017 State of the State, Cuomo set a target of installing up to 2.4GW of offshore wind by 2030.
