Largest Combined RE Solicitation Launched By New York

• New York has issued a call seeking development of over 4 GW renewable energy capacity in the state
• It comprises 2.5 GW of offshore wind capacity, and another 1.5 GW for land-based wind and solar energy projects
• NYSERDA and NYPA are soliciting 1.5 GW capacity with separate specifications
• State is also looking to identify build-ready projects for large scale renewable energy development

The state of New York has launched a solicitation round seeking development of more than 4 GW of renewable energy which makes it the largest ever combined renewable energy solicitation issued by any state in the US to date.

For offshore wind alone, the capacity sought is up to 2.5 GW which will take the state's overall offshore wind capacity halfway its goal of 9 GW by 2035, while more than 1.5 GW is to come from land based renewable energy projects that will generate enough electricity to power half a million New York homes for 20 years.

The 1.5 GW capacity is jointly sought by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) with different specifications.

• NYSERDA seeks to procure close to 1.6 million Tier I eligible renewable energy certificates (REC) from eligible facilities that enter commercial operation on or after January 1, 2015 and on or before November 30, 2022 unless extended to November 30, 2025. It will select projects through a 2-step process. The 1^st step eligibility application round will open on August 5, 2020. A webinar is scheduled for August 4, 2020 to discuss this request for proposals (RFP) and submission process. Last date for submissions is August 27, 2020. Details of the solicitation and its timelines are available on NYSERDA's website.

• NYPA is looking for utility scale solar and wind projects, with an option to add storage, to produce up to or over 2 million MWh annually. Eligible projects can have a minimum of 20 MW capacity and can go up to 100 MW or more all of which will need to be grid connected and come online between 2021 and 2024. Eligible projects can submit applications by September 14, 2020.
• A request for information (RFI) is also sought by NYSERDA to identify build-ready projects for large scale renewable energy development.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said this solicitation will attract approximately $7 billion in direct investments and create somewhere around 4,500 good-paying short and long-term jobs. One of the worst COVID-19 pandemic impacted states in the US, New York also hopes to drive economic growth as part of 'reopening and reimagining' its economy through this solicitation.

"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," said Governor Cuomo.

New York is targeting 100% carbon free electricity supply by 2040 and ensure 70% renewable energy supply by 2030. Under its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), New York aims to have 9 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035, 6 GW of distributed solar by 2025 and 3 GW of energy storage by 2030 (see New York Calls For 6 GW Distributed Solar By 2025).