Equinor Receives Approval for Empire Wind 1 Transmission Facilities

Equinor has been granted approval by the New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) to build and operate offshore and onshore transmission facilities for the 816 MW Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project.

The transmission line for the Empire Wind 1 project spans approximately 17.5 miles from the New York State waters boundary to a point of interconnection in Brooklyn.

The approved phase, finalized on February 13, 2025, includes construction activities within Con Edison’s Gowanus substation property, such as excavation, installation of duct banks, cable pulling, site restoration, and decommissioning.

The transmission project comprises two 230 kV HVAC submarine export cables within a 15.1-mile corridor, connecting to a 0.2-mile onshore cable route and substation with 230-kV HVAC onshore export cables buried underground.

Furthermore, an onshore substation at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will elevate the voltage to 345 kV for onshore interconnection cables, with two 345-kV cable circuits buried underground to the point of interconnection at the Gowanus 345-kV substation.

Empire Wind 1, situated 25-48 kilometers southeast of Long Island, will feature 54 Vestas 15 MW turbines, with Equinor taking full control of the project following a restructuring agreement with BP.

Securing a project financing package exceeding USD 3 billion at the start of 2025, Equinor is on track for the anticipated late 2026 first power production and full commissioning in 2027.