New York has asked the federal US government to lease out at least another four offshore wind zones off its coast, each capable of holding 800MW or more, and it wants the process to move swiftly.

The unprecedented request, publicly made to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), reflects New York’s rapidly growing ambitions for offshore wind, and its recognition that being an early mover in the sector is likely to have a big impact when it comes to securing jobs and investment.