Governor Kathy Hochul released New York’s sixth competitive solicitation calling for 2,000 MW or more of new large-scale renewable energy projects. The projects will have the capacity to power at least 600,000 New York homes and maintain the predictable pace of state-contracted opportunities for private renewable energy developers. Once selected, the development of these projects is expected to generate nearly $3 billion in clean energy investment and create more than 2,000 family jobs in the green economy. Bringing more clean energy to the grid is accelerating progress toward New York’s goal of getting 70% of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
“Renewable energy is the backbone of New York’s radical approach to cleaning up our electric grid and provides a reliable path for industry to join our clean energy transition for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” says Governor Hochul. “The strong public-private partnerships formed to build these projects will not only allow us to significantly reduce emissions in our fight against climate change, but will result in thousands of new green jobs, billions of dollars in economic growth and an injection private investment in local communities.
New York is contracting more than 120 new large-scale onshore renewable energy installations, including solar farms, onshore wind farms and hydroelectric facilities, some of which have been combined with energy storage. The projects selected under this solicitation are expected to generate approximately 4.5 million MWh of renewable electricity per year.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) plans to notify award-winning developers in the spring of 2023. Payments for these awards will not begin until projects have obtained all required permits and approvals and will not be operational to supply New York.
“Coming out of a historic price group earlier this year, New York is moving full steam ahead as we seek to build more large-scale renewable energy projects across the state in our march toward the goal of renewable energy from the state and beyond,” said Doreen M Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA. “Governor. Hochul is committed to ensuring local communities have a voice in the development of these projects, and NYSERDA looks forward to working with selected developers and host municipalities to ensure these projects progress responsibly. and bring substantial community and economic benefits.
Notable provisions of this solicitation include creating jobs and benefits for disadvantaged communities by favorably evaluating projects that can tangibly advance benefits for these historically underserved communities, and strongly encouraging community development commitments. workforce and partnerships with labor and trade organizations.
It sets a minimum requirement for the purchase of iron and steel in the United States to encourage the use of domestic steel in the construction of solar and wind installations and obliges developers to offer steel suppliers based in the United States United States the opportunity to participate in the renewable energy industry, consistent with the intent of New York’s Buy American Act.
The tender requires that workers associated with the construction of any awarded facility be paid the applicable prevailing wage to ensure construction quality and secure jobs that allow New Yorkers to support their families. It preferably encourages and evaluates developers who are committed to using Minority and Women-Owned Businesses of New York State (MWBE) and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB). It also encourages proponents to avoid development on the highest quality farmland and to commit to co-use measures to support continued farm operations as well as funding to support regional farm operations.
The solicitation ensures that the communities that will host successful projects are fully involved in the development process, and that proposers demonstrate a commitment to frequent and active community engagement. It continues to encourage proposals that cost-effectively combine renewable energy with energy storage technologies, including preferential evaluation of proposals that place storage facilities in areas of the state that are primarily powered by fossil fuels. to tackle the acute impacts of pollution that disadvantaged communities have borne disproportionately.
Eligible projects include any large-scale renewable energy project that can be certified as Tier 1 renewable technology and entered into service after January 1, 2015. Participating projects that are not yet in operation must demonstrate that they are capable of reaching commercial operation in May 2025, with the possibility of extending until May 2028.
Interested proposers can apply on NYSERDA’s Tier 1 Solicitations webpage. Stage 1 eligibility applications must be submitted by November 16, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Learn more about solicitation and additional comments from officials here.