Wind, Biogas-to-Power, Fuel Cell and Hydroelectric Large Scale Renewable Projects to Add Clean Energy to State’s Electric Grid
New York – September 24, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $175 million in awards for five large-scale clean energy projects that will help the State meet its Reforming the Energy Vision goals to increase the amount of electricity generation from renewable energy sources. The projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resiliency of New York’s electric grid and energy infrastructure while decreasing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels leading to a cleaner, healthier environment.
The announcement is in recognition of Climate Week, which Governor Cuomo proclaimed from September 22-29 to raise awareness about the challenges we face with a changing climate and to highlight New York’s efforts to increase resiliency and curb emissions as global leaders meet in New York City this week.
“Climate Week is a reminder that we must continue our investment to create a sustainable energy future for New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “Through these projects, we are developing a world-class technology infrastructure while using the renewable energy necessary to reduce our carbon footprint and create a greener New York.”
Once operational, the five projects will add approximately 116 megawatts (MW) of new renewable capacity, which will provide about 356,000 megawatt-hours per year of clean renewable energy to New York – enough energy to supply over 54,000 average-sized homes per year.
Projects (in order of size):
Ball Hill Wind Farm, Western New York: RES America Developments Inc. will build a 100 MW wind farm in Chautauqua County, in the towns of Villenova and Hanover.
Orbit Energy NYC, New York City: Orbit Energy Inc. will build a 9.6 MW anaerobic digestion biogas-to-electricity facility in Staten Island that will use food waste and other organic materials provided by area restaurants, supermarkets and food manufacturers.
Lyons Falls Mill Hydro, North Country: Northbrook Lyons Falls LLC will add 5.2 MW to an existing hydroelectric facility in Lewis County, resulting in a total installed capacity of more than 11 MW.
Morgan Stanley Headquarters, New York City: Morgan Stanley will install a 790 kilowatt (kW) fuel cell in its Manhattan offices, where the technology’s low-emissions generation will contribute to load reduction, system reliability and cleaner electric power.
Fulton Unit 2, Central New York: Erie Boulevard Hydropower, L.P., a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, will install a new 560 kW minimum flow turbine at a hydroelectric facility in Oswego County. This unit will generate electricity using minimum flows required by the project’s license, making use of this energy resource while protecting the environment.
“The expansion of large-scale renewables is critical for New York State to realize its aggressive and achievable economic clean energy goals,” said Richard Kauffman, Chairman of Energy and Finance for New York. “Under the Governor’s REV strategy, New York continues to pave the way in getting more and diverse clean energy innovations into our energy infrastructure and supporting economic development throughout the many regions and industries in our state.”
“These five projects will bring clean energy and economic development to both upstate and downstate, growing the state’s energy economy and supporting Governor Cuomo’s vision for a more diverse power delivery system,” said John B. Rhodes, President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Under the State’s 2015 Energy Plan, New York now has a clear path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy resources, and these projects help advance the plan’s goals.”
Support for these projects is from the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), an initiative that promotes the development of new large-scale renewable energy resources in New York State. NYSERDA will issue one more RPS Main Tier solicitation for larger renewable projects in 2016, expected to be funded through the Clean Energy Fund. Under a newly established large-scale renewables proceeding before the Public Service Commission, NYSERDA has proposed a long-term commitment to the next generation of large-scale renewables. The proposal calls for a $1.5 billion public investment over ten years, which is comparable to the level of investment made over the past decade through the existing RPS.
For every $1 invested in RPS Main Tier projects, New York realizes $3 in economic benefits. More than $3 billion of direct investment in New York State is expected as a result of existing Main Tier projects in the form of jobs, payments to public entities, in-state purchase of goods and services, and land leases.
The projects were competitively selected through the RPS process which continues to provide price stability and greater long-term certainty to contractors through contract terms of up to 20 years. This is the second solicitation for 20-year contracts. The weighted average award price for this 10th Main Tier solicitation is $24.57 per megawatt-hour of production over the 20-year terms of the awarded contracts.
In total, NYSERDA’s ten RPS Main Tier solicitations have funded 69 projects, generating more than 5.3 million megawatt-hours of renewable energy annually.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) is New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV is transforming New York’s energy policy with new state-wide initiatives and regulatory reforms. REV will grow the state’s clean energy economy, support innovation, ensure grid resilience, mobilize private capital, create new jobs, and increase choice and affordability for energy consumers. REV places clean, locally produced power at the core of New York’s energy system. This protects the environment and supports the State’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% while generating 50% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY-Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us @REV4NY.
Contact(s)
Executive Chamber,
Phone : 518-474-8418
Email : press.office (at) exec.ny (dot) gov
