Partner Wanted For 12 MW Solar Plant In New York

• NYSERDA is looking for interested bidders for the 1^st build-ready project solar project in New York
• It will be sited within the premises of the Benson Mines where an iron ore mining project was earlier operational
• NYSERDA will procure tier I RECs from the 12 MW AC project under a 20-year agreement

The New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has invited bids for the development of a solar farm with 12 MW AC capacity on build-ready basis. It says this will transform a former iron ore mine in St. Lawrence County into one of the largest solar projects in the Adirondack Park.

Under the state's Clean Energy Resources Development and Incentives Program or the Build-Ready Program, NYSERDA advances large-scale renewable energy projects on underutilized land as brownfields, landfills, and abandoned or existing commercial and industrial sites.

NYSERDA will enter into a 20-year agreement with the winner to purchase tier I renewable energy certificates (REC) generated by the project. It is currently advancing a pipeline of sites across the state and has already screened more than 5,000 locations.

The state's 1^st build-ready project, as the agencies call it, the Benson Mines Solar Project will be sited within the boundaries of the Benson Mines on a former tailings pile. Having shut down in the 1970s, the site is today used to produce construction aggregates and sustainably harvested timber.

On completion, it is expected to generate enough clean energy to power up to 3,000 homes annually, accounting for close to 4% of the county's residents.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said, "The Benson Mines solar project will transform otherwise underutilized land, supporting local industry while advancing New York's clean energy transition."

Under stage I, NYSERDA has invited applications to ascertain eligibility of interested bidders for which applications can be submitted till December 7, 2023. It will be followed by proposal submission till March 14, 2023. Winners will be announced in Q2/2024.

Details of the tender launched on October 2, 2023 are available on NYSERDA's website.     

New York aims to have a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 with 70% of its energy generation managed by renewables.

In March 2023, NYSERDA was exploring a large-scale solar project of undisclosed installed capacity on closed landfill sites for which it entered agreements with Tompkins County and Orange County (see North America PV News Snippets).