The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Empire State Development (ESD), and the New York Department of Transportation (DOT) have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking proposals for pre-qualification from port operators and market participants who are interested in upgrading and investing in New York state ports to support the state’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.

The state’s ports are expected to unlock billions in long-term local economic development potential and will be serving as a hub for the broader northeast region’s offshore wind industry. The development advances Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s nation-leading Green New Deal goal to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Governor Cuomo has also called for New York State to invest up to US$200 million in New York port infrastructure to leverage and strengthen private investment and maximize the long-term economic benefits to the State. 

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) constitutes Phase 1 of a 2-phased process through which New York State seeks to pre-qualify applicants and then select proposals for public/private investment in port infrastructure that will advance the offshore wind industry in New York State. Through Phase 1, New York State expects to pre-qualify multiple applicants for participation in Phase 2. Only those Applicants who are pre-qualified under this RFQ will be eligible to participate in Phase 2, which will consist of a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be issued in 2020.

The RFQ is being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and Empire State Development (ESD) (collectively, “New York State”).

The deadline for the submission of qualifications is on November 15, 2019.