The Biden-Harris administration has approved the 2.1-GW Empire Wind offshore wind project in New York after a recent setback related to the pricing of its PPA.

Molly Morris, President, Equinor Renewables Americas, issued the following statement regarding this week’s Record of Decision announcement by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

“The federal Record of Decision is a significant milestone in advancing Equinor and bp’s Empire Wind project to help deliver on state and federal climate ambitions. Empire Wind is a defining project for New York and we continue our work to connect with communities and realize the project’s potential of providing reliable renewable power, creating jobs and spurring economic development. We thank the Biden-Harris Administration for continuing to move these important projects forward and for sending a clear signal that offshore wind will play an important role in America’s energy transition.”

The commercial lease for this federal offshore wind area was signed by Equinor in March 2017, following the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) successful auction in December 2016. First power is expected to be delivered in the mid-2020s.