Q & A: Turbine Construction and Interconnection

Q: What types of turbines will be used?  Will they be suitable for harsh winter conditions on the Great Lakes?

A: At this time, the turbine technology has not been selected for the project.  The proposals in response to the NYPA RFP to develop the project will include the type of turbine technology they intend to use.  Offshore wind turbine technology in the Baltic Sea has been successfully operating in harsh winter ice environments for the past decade.  The proposals in response to the NYPA RFP must also include a detailed description of maintenance with consideration of weather-related conditions like ice.

Q: Will wind turbines be anchored to the floor bed?

A: The proposals in response to the NYPA RFP for the project are required to provide all information pertaining to the support structures and foundations that they plan to use, including how the turbines will be permanently fixed for the life of the project.

Q: Are there provisions for wind turbines to be repaired or removed?

A: The proposals in response to the NYPA RFP for the project requires plans and pricing options for project activities including operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Q: How many wind turbines will be installed?

A: At this time, it has not been determined where on Lake Erie and/or Lake Ontario the proposed project(s) would be built. An estimated number, location and placement of the turbines will be included in each proposal submitted by potential developers in response to the NYPA Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on December 1, 2009. At this time, the turbine technology has not been selected for the project. If the size of each turbine is 3MW, 40 turbines would be installed for a 120 MW project and similarly 167 turbines would be installed for a 500 MW project.