New York State issues call for 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects

New York State has issued a call for 2,000 megawatts or more of new large-scale renewable energy projects.

With this solicitation, New York is contracting with over 120 new large-scale land-based renewable energy facilities, including solar farms, onshore wind farms, and hydroelectric facilities. The projects selected through this solicitation are expected to generate approximately 4.5 million megawatt hours of renewable electricity per year, enough renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions by 2 million metric tons.

Also, the projects will spur nearly $3 billion in clean energy investments, have the capacity to power at least 600,000 homes, and create over 2,000 jobs.

“Renewable energy is the backbone of New York’s sweeping approach to cleaning our electric grid and offers the industry a reliable path to join in our clean energy transition for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “The strong public-private partnerships formed to build these projects will allow us not only to drastically lower 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 of private investment into local communities.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) expects to notify the awarded developers in the spring of 2023.

“Coming off a historic award group earlier this year, New York is moving ahead with full force as we look to build more large-scale renewable energy projects across the state in our march towards the State’s renewable energy goal and beyond. Governor Hochul is committed to ensuring local communities have a voice in the development of these projects, and NYSERDA looks forward to working with the selected developers and host municipalities to ensure these projects are advanced responsibly and bring forward substantial community and economic benefits,” NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris said.

Interested proposers can apply on NYSERDA’s Tier 1 Solicitations webpage. Step One Eligibility Applications are due on Nov. 16 by 3:00 p.m. ET. A webinar will be held on Oct. 6 at 1:00 p.m. ET to provide more information on this solicitation.

Those interested in the webinar can sign up on the webinar registration page. Participants are encouraged to register and submit questions in advance to RES@nyserda.ny.gov.

“The renewable energy industry is the future of creating a sustainable and well-paid workforce. Private investment will revitalize local communities and energize the New York State economy. These renewable energy projects are a big win for New Yorkers,” New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said.