New York Boosts Solar Power, Battery-Storage Buildout

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--New York recently announced its largest land-based renewable energy procurement to date, with awards for 22 large-scale solar-power and battery energy-storage system (BESS) projects. Governor Kathy Hochul's (D) office said they will strengthen the state's current pipeline of renewables to account for more than 66% of its energy-production portfolio.

Among the companies represented are EDF Renewable Energy (San Diego, California), Boralex (Kingsey Falls, Quebec), ConnectGen LLC (Houston, Texas), SunEast Development LLC (Malvern, Pennsylvania) and Borrego Solar (San Diego), which already are among the top solar and BESS developers in the state. Industrial Info is tracking more than $17 billion worth of active solar and BESS projects across New York.

Click on the image at right for a graph detailing the top 10 parent companies for active solar and BESS projects across New York, according to Industrial Info's project database.

Similar to long-term goals found in other states, such as California, New York's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act vowed to fully decarbonize the state's electricity generation by 2040, with an interim goal to obtain 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. "These projects will allow us to not just meet but exceed our goal of obtaining 70% of our electricity from renewable resources," Hochul said in a press release.

EDF Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Electricité de France S.A. (Paris, France), is developing three of the projects listed in the announcement: the Columbia Solar Energy Center in Ilion, which would generate 350 megawatts (MW); the Rich Road Solar Energy Center in Canton, which would generate 240 MW; and the Ridge View Solar Plant in Newfane, which would generate 350 MW and be built alongside a 20-MW BESS unit.

Like all the projects awarded by New York State, the EDF facilities would use photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate energy. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Power Project Database can read detailed reports on the Columbia, Rich Road, Ridge View Solar and Ridge View BESS projects.

Boralex was among the biggest beneficiaries of Hochul's announcement, with five projects totaling 540 MW of solar generation and 77 MW of BESS storage. These include the 100-MW Fort Edward Solar Plant in Argyle, which is about 50 miles north of Albany, near the state's border with Vermont. Subscribers can learn more from Industrial Info's project report.

"Today's announcement solidifies Boralex's role in New York State's energy market during this critical expansion of renewable electricity generation," said Patrick Decostre, the chief executive officer of Boralex, in a press release. Four of Boralex's previous projects had been selected in New York's 2019 solicitation.

New York also turned to Canadian companies to help decarbonize its power grid with its recently approved Champlain Hudson Power Express Line, which will import 1,250 MW from hydropower facilities in Canada. For more information, see April 19, 2022, article - New York Turns to Canada's Thriving Hydropower Market for Renewable Goal.

Texas-based ConnectGen already is seeking permits for its 250-MW Mill Point Solar Plant in Fultonville, about 45 miles northwest of Albany, as is SunEast Development for its 200-MW Flat Creek Solar Plant in Sprakers, about 10 miles west of Fultonville. Both projects were included in the announcement. Subscribers can read detailed reports on the Mill Point and Flat Creek projects.

On Wednesday, the New York Senate passed the New York State Build Public Renewables Act, which authorizes the New York Power Authority to develop and own renewable energy projects, phase out its fossil fuel power plants, and provide renewable energy and energy efficiency services to state buildings, municipal buildings and residential customers.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can click here for a list of projects in the recently announced land-based renewable energy procurement already tracked by Industrial Info, and click here for a list of related plants.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the world's leading provider of market intelligence across the upstream, midstream and downstream energy markets and all other major industrial markets. IIR's Global Market Intelligence Platform (GMI) supports our end-users across their core businesses, and helps them connect trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated project opportunities. Follow IIR on: LinkedIn.