BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York state’s public power agency has received five proposals from developers who want to build and operate an offshore wind project in the Great Lakes.
The New York Power Authority had set a June first deadline for bids. On Friday, NYPA President Richard Kessel said the next step, choosing one or more developers, should be done by the end of this year or early next. The goal is to have windmills up and running in Lake Erie, Lake Ontario or both lakes in 2015.
NYPA would buy all the 125 to 500 megawatts of electricity they’ll generate.
The wind farm would be among the first in North America. The proposed 130-turbine Cape Wind project off Massachusetts has been approved by federal authorities and New Jersey and Delaware are among the states exploring offshore wind energy.