NYPA approves renewable project plan, featuring less output than originally projected
Jan. 31—The New York Power Authority's Board of Trustees approved its strategic plan for building out 3 gigawatts worth of renewable energy capacity, though detractors have argued it does not go far enough.
The final plan passed this past Tuesday has 37 projects that can power between 3.5 and 3 million homes. Those numbers are, however, down from the 40 projects creating 3.5 GW of new capacity in the initial draft plan.
"The 2025 NYPA Renewables Strategic Plan reflects a bold, systematic and thoughtful effort to help secure an affordable, sustainable and resilient energy future for all New Yorkers," NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll said. "We are deeply appreciative of everyone who participated in our recent stakeholder engagement process and the 2023 and 2024 conferral processes. That input is critical as we continue to shape our action plans and execute our strategic vision for a New York state powered by clean energy that supports a clean energy workforce."
Listed sites in Western New York include:
—A 4.96 MW solar farm in Lewiston developed through the NYPA, with an estimated completion of fourth quarter 2027
—A 270 MW solar farm in South Ripley in Chautauqua County developed with Connect Gen and Repsol, with an estimated completion of fourth quarter 2027
—A 1 MW solar farm in Buffalo developed through the NYPA, with an estimated completion of fourth quarter 2027
A 339 MW solar farm in Cattaraugus County that was listed in the draft is not being considered in the final plan.
NYPA will also launch the REACh program, with a portion of revenues generated by these projects going toward bill credits for users in disadvantaged communities.
During the public comment period, which included a public meeting at the Niagara Power Vista in November, there were reportedly 5,300 public comments arguing for the state to build 15 GW worth of renewable energy capacity so that it can meet its mandated climate target of having 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act passed in July 2019, the state would become zero-emission by 2040.
Other public comments included staving off decommissioning some natural gas power stations until their output could be reliably replaced and whether the number of planned projects would be enough to meet these mandates.
Public Power New York has been one of those groups advocating for the 15 GW milestone. The coalition even went as far as calling for Driscoll to either resign or be removed in order for that to happen.
"NYPA's first public renewables plan was a chance to turn New York into the kind of national climate and green jobs leader not even Trump can stop," a Public Power NY statement reads. "Instead it will turn us into the state that failed our own climate goals by a mile. Justin Driscoll, Kathy Hochul's handpicked NYPA President, must be held responsible for this failure."
NYPA has an RFQ open until Sept. 30 for developers wishing to collaborate on developing renewable energy projects.
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