New York to build up to 1GW of offshore wind a year as engine for 2030 green goal
State sets out 70% renewables mandate by decade's end, including 4.5GWh of hydro, fuel cells, solar and onshore wind
New York has formally adopted a 70% by 2030 renewable energy mandate as part of the state’s clean energy standard (CES) and authorised contracting between 700MW-1GW of offshore wind capacity annually this decade.
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Under a directive issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which regulates utilities, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) can also contract 4.5GWh of energy from hydro, renewable fuel cell projects, solar and wind from upstate each year.
“This creates a strong market in New York and should attract the private investment we will need to get projects under development,” said Anne Reynolds, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, the state’s leading clean energy advocacy group based in the capital Albany.
Today’s action implements requirements in the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Leaders Protection Act signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo that the PSC establish a program to increase use of renewable energy in the state from 50% to 70% by 2030, and from 2.4GW by 2030 to 9GW by 2035 for offshore wind.
“We do not have time to waste in the fight against climate change and New York continues to lead by advancing the most aggressive policies in the nation to slow the warming of the planet,” said Cuomo.
In 2019, 29% of New York’s in-state generation came from renewable sources including those at both large- and small-scale facilities.
The PSC’s move comes in the run-up to the bi d deadline next Wednesday for New York’s present offshore wind solicitation for up to 2.5GW capacity. NYSERDA is accepting individual bids starting at 400MW from interested leaseholders in nine areas off the coasts of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
Plans call to procure at least 1GW in this round and seal contracts by the end of the year. Last year, NYSERDA awarded almost 1.7GW in an initial solicitation to Sunrise Wind (880MW) and Equinor (816MW).
Sunrise is a joint venture between Orsted and regional utility Eversource, whose future 130MW South Fork project off Massachusetts separately won a 20-year power supply deal with Long Island Power Authority.
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