Water off Grenadier Island, Galloo Island and down the Lake Ontario coast are targets for offshore wind turbines, under a New York Power Authority plan.
NYPA on Tuesday asked developers for proposals to put turbines on 10 possible sites in Lake Ontario and 13 sites in Lake Erie.
"The significance of developing the natural wind resources of New York's own Great Lakes will help diversify the state's energy mix, strengthen our energy independence, promote economic development, create jobs and expand the use of clean, green electricity to reap the vital benefit of a better environment for future generations," Richard M. Kessel, NYPA president and chief executive officer, said in a press release.
The sites were chosen after studies commissioned by NYPA showed they would be best for wind resources, siting and environmental impacts.
The sites must have average wind speeds of at least 16.8 miles per hour, have water depths of less than 150 feet, lie 2.3 miles or farther offshore, sit three-tenths of a mile from the border with Canada, be at least six-tenths of a mile away from designated shipping lanes and have other buffers from designated dump grounds, anchorage areas, submerged cables and pipelines, shipwrecks and other obstructions.
"Environmentalists and people have told us they would like it to be further off shore," NYPA spokeswoman Connie M. Cullen said. "We suggested these sites to developers as a result of our studies. But they can make the case for other sites, but those sites would have to meet our criteria."
The developers must submit proposals for projects of 120 to 500 megawatts. The projects would interconnect with the state's electric grid system, controlled by the New York Independent System Operator. NYPA would buy all of the power of the projects under long-term power purchase agreements.
"The development of a wind energy project in the Great Lakes off the shores of New York will bring us another step towards my goal to meet 30 percent of the State's electricity needs from renewable resources by 2015, help demonstrate the significantly untapped potential of offshore wind, and bring new clean energy jobs to Western New York," Gov. David A. Paterson said in the release.
NYPA will accept notices of intent until March 20, questions until April 9 and final proposals until June 1. Winning projects will be awarded in December 2010, with power purchase agreements negotiated through May 2011.
Developers must demonstrate the ability to develop, design, finance, construct, operate and maintain an offshore wind project.
NYPA will make awards based on the proposals and will give more weight to projects that demonstrate long-term economic benefits in the region, wind turbine component manufacturing, firm pricing, operation by 2015 and strong likelihood of public acceptance.
NYPA first announced April 22 that it would pursue offshore wind projects. NYPA has conducted outreach sessions in Buffalo, Lewiston and Oswego on the subject and process.
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