New York Power Authority launches modernization, digitization program for Niagara Power Project
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that the New York Power Authority is launching a 15-year modernization and digitization program to extend the operating life of the Niagara Power Project.
The program, called “Next Generation Niagara,” focuses on the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant, the Niagara project’s main generating facility. NYPA plans to invest $1.1 billion in the project.
“The Niagara Power Project is New York’s largest source of clean electricity, and this modernization project will allow it to continue operating for another 50 years,” Cuomo said. “This extraordinary investment is a crucial part of our nation-leading plan to decarbonize New York’s electric power system by 2040 and will continue supplying job-producing companies across the state with clean, low-cost energy.”
The initiative consists of four major phases, including an inspection of the Robert Moses plant’s penstocks; upgrading the crane that enables mechanical work at the plant; updating and digitizing the control systems; and building a new back-up control room and replacing mechanical parts that have reached the end of their operating life.
Work is scheduled to begin later this year. The program will support an estimated 60 union construction jobs over the course of the project.