Deepwater Wind interested in having hub in Brooklyn

DEEPWATER WIND is a 'prospective tenant' in setting up an offshore wind hub in Brooklyn, according to the New York City Economic Development Corp. and Red Hook Container Terminal. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/ERIC THAYER
DEEPWATER WIND is a 'prospective tenant' in setting up an offshore wind hub in Brooklyn, according to the New York City Economic Development Corp. and Red Hook Container Terminal. / BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO/ERIC THAYER

PROVIDENCE – Could Deepwater Wind be setting up shop off the coast of one of New York City’s five boroughs?

New York City Economic Development Corp. spokesman Ryan Birchmeier said Thursday afternoon the Providence-based wind energy provider is a “prospective tenant” for the new operators of the Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, a city owned facility in Sunset Park Brooklyn, and has “absolutely expressed interest” in establishing a presence there.

NYCEDC announced Tuesday in a news release plans are in place to reactivate the terminal as a “major shipping hub,” creating 250 jobs in the near-term. Red Hook Container Terminal and Industry City, both based in Brooklyn, will operate the terminal.

The news release states the terminal has the “potential” to create more than 1,000 additional jobs by “serving as a fabrication hub” for Deepwater Wind, still a prospective tenant. The wind energy provider indicated its interest in “establishing a hub” on the borough’s waterfront to support its South Fork Wind Farm and other future projects, according to the release, subject to “necessary approvals.”

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Jordan Isenstadt, spokesman for Red Hook Container Terminal, said Thursday other aspects need to occur if Deepwater wants to set up in Brooklyn, such as negotiating with the city and New York State about creating and buying energy.

“My understanding is they’re interested in establishing a hub on the Brooklyn waterfront,” Isenstadt said. “That terminal would be an ideal location for that.”

Isenstadt also said there is also “a couple of years” worth of work needed to be done at the site in order for it to be fully operational.

Red Hook Container Terminal President and CEO Mike Stamatis said in a statement Tuesday it would be a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the area to establish a home for the “emerging offshore wind industry.”

In January 2017, Deepwater Wind entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Long Island Power Authority for the company’s planned South Fork wind farm, which would become the largest offshore wind farm in the U.S.

Messages left for representatives at Deepwater have yet to be returned.

James Bessette is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Research@PBN.com.

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