Offshore installation
The Empire Wind 1 project received its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) approval in February 2024 and began onshore construction at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Spring 2024. Marine construction activities resumed in Spring 2025, beginning with rock laying in the lease area. The start of construction follows around 8 years of surveying, engineering, comprehensive environmental reviews by federal, state, and local governmental authorities, associated permitting, planning and is part of Equinor’s commitment to help power New York.
Located 15-30 miles off the coast of New York, Empire Wind 1 will harness wind power to generate and deliver 810 MW of energy into the New York City grid in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The project will provide a new, near-term power source to over 500,000 New York homes, helping to meet the state’s growing energy demand with reliable power.
A Significant Step Towards American-Made Energy
The offshore construction of Empire Wind 1 is a significant step towards innovative energy production. The project utilizes advanced techniques, hundreds of US based workers, and specialized vessels for each phase of construction. Alongside effective avoidance, minimization and mitigation strategies, and best-in-class technologies drawn from Equinor’s successful projects, the project aims to minimize its environmental impact while contributing to New York’s energy future. Empire Wind 1 is set to become a vital part of New York’s renewable energy landscape.
Below, find out more about how offshore construction works, the high-tech vessels we use, our commitment to protecting the environment, and technologies drawn from successful Equinor projects around the world. Empire Wind 1 is expected to be fully operational in 2027, and this page will be updated throughout different phases of construction.
2026 Construction Work
1. Offshore Substation Installation
During the foundation installation campaign in September of 2025, a jacket foundation was installed in the lease area to accommodate the offshore substation. In January 2026, the offshore substation arrived in the lease area. A crane vessel was used to lift the substation off of its transport vessel. The vessel then placed the substation onto the jacket. This began the commissioning process for the offshore substation with welders brought in to weld the substation into place.
Throughout the first part of 2026, commissioning work will take place on the substation to prepare it for energization.
Environmental Avoidance, Minimization, Mitigation, and Monitoring Strategies
Environmental protective measures were carried out to minimize impacts on marine ecosystems during substation foundation installation. Dedicated observers on board each vessel kept a lookout for protected species and advised vessels captains on protective measures. Due to the nature of the work, the vessels moved extremely slow, allowing added time to identify and avoid any marine life in the area.
2025 Construction Work
1. Rock Installation
Before foundations were installed, rocks needed to be placed on the seabed to create a stable base and to protect against erosion or scouring. During the installation campaign of 2025, an initial filter layer of rocks was placed in each turbine location. Following the installation of the foundations, a second armor layer of smaller rocks was placed to help secure the foundations. A rock layer was also placed at key points along the cable route to protect and secure the cable. Rock laying activities will continue throughout 2026.
Environmental Avoidance, Minimization Mitigation, and Monitoring Strategies
Timing: Construction activities are scheduled to avoid periods of peak wildlife migration.
2. Foundation Installation
Foundations support the wind turbines and ensure they remain stable in the ocean. Monopile foundations, large cylindrical structures, were installed into the seabed during the summer and early fall of 2025. They serve as both the foundation for the turbines and the entry point for inter-array cables that carry the electricity generated by the turbines to an offshore substation. Monopiles are particularly suited for the relatively shallow waters found in the Empire Wind lease area.
Foundations were installed using a semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) to lift and position the monopiles in place. During installation, each monopile was positioned within a large gripping mechanism on the SSCV, which held the monopile in a vertical position. With the aid of the vessel’s crane, the monopile was lifted into place, then lowered to the seabed. The monopile was then installed into the seabed using a hydraulic hammer. Empire Wind 1 has installed all 54 monopile foundations.
Environmental Avoidance, Minimization, Mitigation, and Monitoring Strategies
Installation techniques were designed to reduce noise, protecting potential nearby marine wildlife. Monitoring measures such as protected species observers and passive acoustic monitoring were designed to detect protected species before they approached the area. Seasonal restrictions and noise mitigation measures, such as bubble curtains, were employed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts to marine life.
For more in-depth overview about mitigation strategies click here.
Download a fact sheet about mitigation strategies here.
3. Export & Inter-Array Cable Installation
Once the turbines are installed, they will spin and generate electricity. This power is transported from the turbines through inter-array cables to the offshore substation.
From the substation the power is carried by export cables to the onshore substation, before making its way into the New York City electrical grid.
Specifications: Approximately 94 miles (151 KM) of export cables are being laid. These cables are designed to handle high voltage and ensure efficient energy transmission. Installation began at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, moved out into New York Harbor, underneath the Verrazano Bridge, and then out to the offshore substation, located in the lease area. Additionally, over 100 miles of inter-array cables will be delivering power from the turbines to the offshore substation, where that power will be connected to the export cable. Cables are buried at depths that prevent interference with fisheries.
Process: Cables were laid on the seabed using cable-laying vessels, like the one shown here. These specialized ships are equipped with cable carousels and laying equipment that allow for precise deployment and burial of the cables, protecting them from fishing activities and natural disturbances. Throughout early 2026 final work will be done to joint the export cable and to pull it into the offshore substation.
Environmental Avoidance, Minimization, Mitigation, and Monitoring Strategy:
Environmental protective measures are carried out to minimize impacts on marine ecosystems during cable installation. Empire worked with New York state agencies to ensure the project avoids or minimizes impacts to winter flounder and Atlantic and shortnosed sturgeon during their annual time of year restricted periods. This includes implementing the Atlantic and Shortnosed Sturgeon Avoidance, Monitoring, and Impact Minimization Plan with acoustic and visual monitoring for sturgeon. In addition, Empire enacts a Water Quality Monitoring Plan during sediment disturbing installation activities to ensure that the project stays within water quality standards. Dedicated observers on board each vessel watch for protected species and advise vessel captains on protective measures. Due to the nature of the work, the vessels move extremely slow, allowing added time to identify and avoid any marine life in the area.
Resources
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