The New York Power Authority on Friday issued a request for proposals for renewable energy to be delivered into New York City through the existing 660-MW Hudson Transmission Project.
“Through this RFP, NYPA will gain a better understanding of market participants that can supply renewable energy into New York City today and into the future,” NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll said in a statement.
The Hudson Transmission Project was completed in 2013 and runs between Ridgefield, New Jersey, and New York City, primarily underground and underwater. NYPA has up to 575 MW of access rights on the HTP cable, Alex Chiaravalle, a spokesperson for the power authority, said in an email.
“The recently issued RFP seeks market participants interested in delivering renewable energy for a certain portion, or all the Power Authority’s energy access rights,” Chiaravalle said. “The HTP cable currently delivers energy from the PJM Interconnection” to the New York ISO, Chiaravalle added.
RFP responses are due to the authority by Nov. 1.
New York has set a goal to develop a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including delivering 70% renewables by 2030 and and economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
Last week, NYPA published a draft strategic plan to expand the state’s renewable energy resources, including 40 projects representing 3.5 GW of capacity from solar, onshore wind and battery energy storage systems. The plan “outlines the innovative framework the Power Authority has taken to fulfilling its expanded role in the development of the state’s renewable power resources,” Driscoll said.
New York’s most recent state budget expanded NYPA’s authority to include developing, owning and operating renewable energy generation projects. The projects proposed last week would be distributed throughout the state and include seven battery energy storage systems, 32 solar projects and one wind project.
The draft renewables plan drew criticism from the Public Power NY Coalition, which said the proposed 3.5 GW is “inadequate” to meet the state’s renewable energy targets once attrition rates for early-stage and developed projects are factored in.
“By the state’s own estimation, without new NYPA projects New York will only reach 44% renewable generation by 2030,” the group said.
NYPA defended its proposal, saying the 40 initial proposals are “only the first tranche” of projects.
