Construction to transform the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into an offshore wind energy port facility is set to be completed by the end of 2026, according to construction and development firm Skanska, which was recently awarded a $861 million contract for the redevelopment.
The project will transform the 73-acre shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing space in Sunset Park into an operations and maintenance hub for the Empire Wind 1 project — an offshore wind farm operated by Norwegian energy company Equinor — some 15 to 30 miles off of Long Island.
Pre-construction works have been in motion since January 2023 and will ramp up now that Skanska has inked the construction deal, having previously been on board with the project providing “pre-construction services.”
Once completed, the port will serve as the operational and maintenance hub for Empire Wind 1, and act as the point of interconnection to integrate power from the farm to New York’s electricity grid at the Gowanus Substation in Brooklyn.
“We are proud to play a role in the transformation of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which will transition a historic feature of Brooklyn’s waterfront into an industry-leading offshore wind port,” said Richard Kennedy, CEO for Skanska in the U.S. “This project underscores Skanska’s commitment to building sustainable infrastructure, and this state-of-the-art facility will provide New York City with clean and alternative energy, as well as serve as a national model for renewable energy hubs.”
The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, located west of Industry City on First Avenue, will see the demolition of its existing buildings followed by ground improvements to support the staging of the wind turbine components, installation of underground utilities, upgrades to site lighting, security, and safety systems, and the installation of two new heavy-lift crane pads, according to Skanska officials.
Renovations will also be made to the waterfront, including the dredging of new and existing berths, bulkhead upgrades, and installation of new wharf and dock facilities. A 85,000-square-foot operations and maintenance building with warehouse, office, and parking facilities will also be constructed to support the construction and ongoing operations and maintenance of the off shore wind farms.
The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will be the largest port dedicated to offshore wind staging and maintenance in the United States, according to Congress Member Dan Goldman, who says he has never been more optimistic about New York’s future as “the offshore wind capital of America.”
“Our commitment to offshore wind in New York is a bet on our future — an investment in cleaner air for our kids, better jobs for our communities, and a new paradigm of energy independence that will end our reliance on the whims of America’s geopolitical rivals,” Goldman said in a statement Tuesday.
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul accelerated the timeline for the state’s fifth offshore wind project solicitation and committed $500 million in grant funding to support supply chain development for the industry as part of her 10-Point Renewable Energy Action Plan.
“New York is solidifying its leadership role in the offshore wind industry, building the supply chain right here in the State to build the industry and drive down costs,” Hochul said in a statement. “This commitment and momentum will help us realize a future where clean energy powers our grid, creates long-term jobs, and boosts our economy.”
