NYSERDA selected eight bulk storage and 13 large renewable projects totaling nearly 1.7 GW, expected online by 2030. The awards include 950 MW of lithium batteries with 4–8 hour durations and 719 MW of solar, wind, and hydro projects. New York kept its 70% renewable-by-2030 target and its 6 GW storage goal, and NYSERDA plans further procurements—targeting 3 GW across its first three storage solicitations. The projects are expected to create about 1,000 jobs and attract over $3.7 billion in private investment.
NYSERDA Awards Nearly 1.7 GW in Renewables and Storage — 950 MW of Lithium Batteries Headline First Bulk Storage Awards
An aerial view of solar panels at the Sutter Greenworks Solar Site on September 19, 2021 in Calverton, New York.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on Wednesday announced financial support for eight bulk energy storage projects and 13 large-scale renewable developments, together totaling nearly 1.7 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity expected to be in service by the end of 2030.
Of that total, NYSERDA's first-ever bulk energy storage awards account for 950 megawatts (MW) of lithium battery capacity, with systems designed to provide between 4 and 8 hours of discharge duration. Separate awards will support 719 MW of large-scale renewables, including solar, wind and hydroelectric installations.
State officials acknowledge New York has fallen behind some clean energy milestones and earlier this year revised certain greenhouse gas reduction timelines under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Still, officials emphasize that procurement goals remain intact.
Key policy targets remain: the CLCPA objective of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 is unchanged, and New York reaffirmed its 2022 commitment to reach 6 GW of energy storage by 2030. NYSERDA said it will issue a second annual bulk energy storage request for proposals (RFP) by the end of the year and expects to procure 3 GW of storage across its first three solicitations.
Project Examples and Local Impact
The selected projects vary in size and duration. Notable examples include:
- A 4-hour, 94-MW facility being developed by Key Capture Energy in Ulster County;
- A 4-hour, 150-MW project in Suffolk County also developed by Key Capture Energy (KCE);
- The 8-hour, 140-MW Lighthouse Energy Storage project in Chautauqua County, proposed by Grid Connected Infrastructure LLC in partnership with Neoen US.
NYSERDA noted these awards will more than double the utility-scale energy storage that has been awarded, contracted and installed to date in New York, advancing progress toward the 6 GW storage goal.
"Bringing new renewable energy and storage projects online means more homegrown power, more flexibility for the grid, and more investment in communities across the state," said Amisha Rai, senior vice president of advocacy at Advanced Energy United. NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris added that the projects "contribute to New York's comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy strategy."
Economic and Implementation Notes
NYSERDA estimates the announced projects will support roughly 1,000 jobs and leverage more than $3.7 billion in private investment. Contract payments to developers will begin only after facilities reach commercial operation.
Looking ahead, NYSERDA plans additional solicitations to keep momentum toward its storage and renewable procurement goals and to expand utility-scale flexibility that helps integrate variable renewables across the grid.
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