Dive Brief:
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New York state has opened its latest solicitation for large-scale, land-based clean energy projects in hope of reaching 70% renewable energy by 2030.
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The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will accept bids from solar, land-based wind, and hydroelectric projects. NYSERDA will also consider geothermal projects, and hydrogen fuel cells so long as the hydrogen fuel in question has been produced using renewable energy, according to the solicitation issued Thursday.
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The total number and size of projects selected will be finalized following a review of the bids and the status of projects awarded contracts under the state's prior solicitations, according to a NYSERDA spokesperson.
Dive Insight:
New York state is looking to scale up its clean energy ambitions in pursuit of achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030, and eventually 100% carbon-free energy by 2040.
NYSERDA plans to consider front-of-meter, grid-connected renewable energy projects of all kinds and sizes under the solicitation, but expects that most applicants will present projects in the 5 MW to 500 MW range, according to a NYSERDA spokesperson. Projects that have not secured an interconnection contract must identify a viable path to interconnection, and should expect to begin commercial operation by Nov. 30, 2026, to be eligible for consideration — although extensions to Nov. 30, 2029, may be available, according to the solicitation.
The NYSERDA spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding the expected feasibility of these deadlines.
“New York is building a clean energy economy that will allow us to drastically lower emissions while creating thousands of new good-paying jobs, boosting billions of dollars in economic growth, and spurring an injection of private investment into our local communities," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D, said in a statement. “Once selected, these projects will help accelerate our mission to power our state with affordable, reliable, zero-emission electricity for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
Industry and environmental groups alike met the announcement with enthusiasm, with statements of support issued by New York State AFL-CIO, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and others. The New York Solar Energy Industries Association indicated its members were eager to begin their applications.
“As New Yorkers across the state grapple with extreme heat and rising electric bills, accelerating renewable energy deployment has never been more urgent,” NYSEIA Executive Director Noah Ginsburg said in a statement. “New York Solar Energy Industries Association applauds NYSERDA and Governor Hochul for their commitment to achieving the clean energy and equity mandates in the Climate Act. Scaling up solar deployment is foundational to New York’s energy transition, and our member companies and solar workforce are at the ready.”
