The first completed utility-scale offshore wind energy project in the state, and the U.S., provides clean power to Long Island through a local grid link.

Guiding the state’s push to reach nation-leading goals in clean energy deployment, the chief of the NY State Energy Research and Development Authority acknowledges the “heavy lift” ahead amid construction headwinds but says the challenge to mitigate climate change is "compelling."

The utility-scale projects—the 800-MW, estimated $3-billion Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts and the 132-MW, estimated $637-million South Fork project off New York—could begin to generate power this year, their developers say.