New York Power Considering Offshore Wind Project
The New York Power Authority is examining the feasibility of constructing offshore wind power projects at Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. They have asked developers to provide all the information needed to decide whether or not to move forward with the project.
If completed the project would develop during the next five years and generate at least 120 megawatts of electricity. While several other projects are also being considered, no construction has started as of yet.
The project expected to cost around $1 billion will be a cluster of wind turbines. Depending on the generating capacity any where from 24 to 40 turbines are expected to be constructed. If all the details can be settled on, a developer will be chosen sometime before the end of next year.
The announcement was made by New York Power’s President, Richard Kessel on the shore of Lake Erie on Earth Day. If developers find that there is a potential for wind mills to produce electricity off shore, the project will have the support of the Audubon Society and the states Governor, David Paterson.