Design and Construction Report staff writer
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that 23 large-scale land-based renewable energy projects have officially signed contracts to deliver over 2.3 gigawatts of clean energy to New York’s grid. The projects are expected to create over 2,500 jobs and attract more than $4.7 billion in private investment.
The projects include solar and wind energy installations spread across the state, from the Finger Lakes to the North Country, and are expected to reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2.3 million metric tons annually. That’s the equivalent of removing nearly 350,000 cars from New York’s roads.
They will create more than 2,500 near-term jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance of the renewable energy facilities. Additionally, more than $249 million will be directed to community benefit funds for disadvantaged areas, helping to boost local economies and ensure the benefits of clean energy are widely shared.
“New York continues to provide a reliable market for renewable energy projects, while also ensuring they are developed responsibly and with local communities in mind,” said Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “These projects will not only help the state meet its ambitious clean energy goals but also deliver lasting benefits to the people and regions where they are built.”
The state is also ensuring local governments and communities are equipped to manage the projects effectively. NYSERDA offers no-cost technical assistance to municipalities, helping them navigate clean energy development, permitting, and tax issues.
In addition to generating clean energy, the projects will reduce exposure to harmful pollutants, leading to public health benefits, especially in historically overburdened communities. This move is part of New York’s ongoing efforts to meet the requirements of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which mandates that the state achieve a 70% renewable energy share by 2030 and a zero-emission electricity grid by 2040.
The projects span multiple regions of the state, including:
- Central New York: Solar farms in Cayuga and Oswego counties.
- Finger Lakes: Solar and wind projects in Seneca, Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.
- Mid-Hudson: Solar farms in Orange County.
- Mohawk Valley: Solar projects in Montgomery, Schoharie, and Herkimer counties.
- North Country: Solar projects in Franklin County.
- Southern Tier: Wind and solar projects in Steuben County.
- Western New York: Solar and wind projects in Niagara, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties.
The projects also demonstrate New York’s commitment to creating good, union jobs. Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, praised the Governor’s announcement, saying, “These projects are a testament to the strength of New York’s labor movement and will create thousands of good, well-paying union jobs in communities across the state.”
Environmental advocates also celebrated the news, noting that the projects represent significant progress toward New York’s clean energy goals. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said, “The transition to renewables is essential for a sustainable future, and these 23 projects are a major step in that direction. We are excited to see the progress being made under Governor Hochul’s leadership.”
With these 23 new projects, New York’s pipeline of renewable energy projects continues to grow. In total, the state is working on 46 renewable energy initiatives—including solar arrays, land-based wind, and offshore wind—that will deliver more than 6.3 gigawatts of clean energy to the grid by 2028, enough to power 3.7 million homes.
