New York issues solicitations for 4,000 MW of clean energy projects
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week a combined 4,000 megawatts of clean energy solicitations for both offshore and land-based projects.
The state says this would be a record-high solicitation for clean energy. This combined solicitation includes an offshore wind solicitation for up to 2,500 megawatts of projects, which Cuomo said is the largest in U.S. history. This follows last year’s offshore wind procurement, which resulted in nearly 1,700 megawatts awarded.
The new solicitation includes a multi-port strategy and requirement for offshore wind generators to partner with any of the 11 prequalified New York ports to stage, construct, and manufacture key components, or coordinate operations and maintenance activities. Funding for port investments will include $400 million in both public and private funding.
“During one of the most challenging years New York has ever faced, we remain laser-focused on implementing our nation-leading climate plan and growing our clean energy economy, not only to bring significant economic benefits and jobs to the state, but to quickly attack climate change at its source by reducing our emissions,” Cuomo said. “With these record-breaking solicitations for renewable energy and new port infrastructure, New York continues to lead the way with the most ambitious Green New Deal in the nation, creating a future fueled by clean, renewable energy sources.”
Also, Cuomo announced solicitations for 1,500 megawatts of land-based, large-scale renewable energy projects. Projects selected will be fast-tracked to construction under legislation passed in the budget to vastly accelerate renewable energy siting to ensure the projects are developed responsibly and quickly.
Combined, these land-based and offshore wind clean energy projects would generate up to 4,000 megawatts of power, making it the largest combined solicitation, according to the state.
These solicitations are expected to spur approximately $7 billion in direct investments and create approximately 4,500 jobs. The projects are being issued through the New York Power Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
“Our second offshore wind solicitation combined with this historic investment in the state’s port infrastructure will ensure that New York continues to be a leader in our nation-leading pursuit of offshore wind. New York’s ports will serve a critically important role in supporting the long-term development of offshore wind projects not only in New York but along the entire East Coast while supporting new jobs and investment in the State during the state’s recovery from COVID-19,” NYSERDA Acting President and CEO Doreen Harris said.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) applauded the state’s renewable energy procurement.
“Today’s announcement from Governor Cuomo underlines New York’s leadership in harnessing the economic and environmental benefits of wind and other renewable energy technologies, with the onshore commitment alone enough to power half a million American homes. On top of the laudable onshore commitment, AWEA applauds the state’s forward-thinking move to invest in offshore wind and associated infrastructure, which will lead to significant returns as states up and down the East Coast compete for a piece of the 83,000 jobs and $25 billion in annual economic activity the offshore wind industry is set to deliver to the U.S. within a decade,” AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan said.
