New Solar and Storage Awards to Enable New York to Reach 66% Renewable Electricity Capacity
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced awards for 22 large-scale solar and energy storage projects to be constructed across the state. Once operational, the new projects along with the state’s current renewables pipeline will enable renewable energy to power more than 66% of New York’s electricity, and set the state on the path to surpass its 70% by 2030 goal.
The new projects will generate about 4.5 million MWh of renewable energy annually, enough to power over 620,000 New York homes, and will reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.2 million metric tons annually, equivalent to taking over 492,000 cars off the road every year.
Governor Hochul said:
“Today’s investments will put us on a path to making New York a greener place to live while also creating new jobs and spurring economic development. These projects will allow us to not just meet but exceed our goal of obtaining 70 percent of our electricity from renewable resources and will further cement New York as a national leader in the fight against climate change.”
The projects are expected to stimulate more than $2.7 billion in private investment and create over 3,000 short- and long-term jobs across the state. According to Governor Hochul, through the newly awarded projects, developers have committed nearly $86 million in investments in disadvantaged communities throughout the state, including occupational apprenticeships, scholarship programs, and summer camps for supporting local disadvantaged communities.
Doreen M. Harris, President, and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Climate Action Council Co-Chair said:
“NYSERDA is committed to working with the awarded developers, local host governments and community stakeholders throughout the project development process to responsibly site projects, including the protection of prime agricultural land, and ensure that they cross the finish line on time.”