The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees has approved its first strategic plan for expanding renewable energy resources in New York State to advance Governor Kathy Hochul’s climate agenda. The NYPA Renewables Strategic Plan includes details on 37 projects in every region of the state that represent a combined potential capacity of more than 3 GW, enough electricity to power between 2.5 and 3 million households.
“The adoption of the NYPA Renewables Strategic Plan builds on NYPA’s proven track record of providing affordable, clean power to support New York residents and advancing our great state’s energy goals,” said NYPA Chairman John R. Koelmel. “This plan includes the first tranche of renewables projects, totaling more than 3 GW, identified by NYPA to help move New York’s clean energy agenda forward. The plan details stringent selection and feasibility criteria and will be updated as new projects are identified, providing consistent transparency into NYPA’s progress.”
Following the October 2024 release of its draft plan, NYPA held a dozen public hearings throughout the state and heard from thousands of stakeholders statewide. The comments reflected a broad range of perspectives, including community and environmental justice organizations, state and local government entities, universities, environmental and energy policy organizations, municipal utilities, consumers, labor organizations and renewable energy and energy storage developers.
The Power Authority considered and incorporated feedback received through the stakeholder engagement process, including concerns related to affordability, cost, reliability, siting and sentiment to build more gigawatts of new renewables included in its Strategic Plan. For example, responding to comments calling for more details, the final plan outlines the methodology and selection criteria used to vet proposed projects to arrive at our project list, and includes more details about the projects and their locations.
NYPA continues to pursue renewables projects not included in the initial tranche of projects outlined in its Renewables Strategic Plan. NYPA expects to issue an update to the 2025 NYPA Renewables Strategic Plan in the first half of 2025. So far, NYPA has identified projects totaling up to an additional 3 GW of capacity for future tranches. NYPA must update its strategic plan on at least an annual basis. Under NYPA’s statute, additional proposed projects must be considered in a public hearing and 30-day public comment process. Those dates will be included with the release of the amended plan.
“The 2025 NYPA Renewables Strategic Plan reflects a bold, systematic and thoughtful effort to help secure an affordable, sustainable and resilient energy future for all New Yorkers,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “We are deeply appreciative of everyone who participated in our recent stakeholder engagement process and the 2023 and 2024 Conferral Processes. That input is critical as we continue to shape our action plans and execute our strategic vision for a New York State powered by clean energy that supports a clean energy workforce. This plan not only addresses our commitment to sustainability, but also underscores our dedication to creating a resilient clean energy workforce, providing meaningful careers and opportunities in the growing field of renewable energy.”
In October, the New York State Public Service Commission approved a request by the Power Authority to establish the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program to provide electric bill credits for low-income households in disadvantaged communities across the state. Beginning this year, NYPA will also submit annual reports to the Governor and legislative leaders on its renewables program and the REACH program. The REACH program bill credits will be funded from a portion of revenues from new renewable energy generating projects developed or contracted by NYPA and designated for REACH once projects are operating and generating revenue.
In an effort to support new partners in the clean energy transition, NYPA has reopened its Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to additional private developers, including community-based developers and investors seeking to collaborate with NYPA on the development of renewable energy generating projects. The RFQ will remain open until September 30. Any entities that are pre-qualified through this 2025 RFQ reopening will be added to the 89 entities that were previously pre-qualified in 2024. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply on NYPA’s procurement webpage. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
News item from NYPA
It is wonderful to see such a big investment from the state utility. I love reading articles like this.