Dive Brief:

• The New York Power Authority on Tuesday published a draft of its Renewables Updated Strategic Plan, calling for 7 GW of solar, wind and energy storage — more than doubling the total energy capacity outlined in its initial plan released in January.
• New York lawmakers in 2023 expanded NYPA’s authority to develop, own and operate renewable energy resources. Officials at the public power utility say they are using the new authority to continue the state’s clean energy transition at a time when federal policy is shifting away from renewables.
• “There has never been a more critical time for NYPA to move expeditiously as we contend with expiring federal tax credits and associated increased competition for equipment and installers,” President and CEO Justin Driscoll said in a statement.

Dive Insight:

Advocates say public pressure for more clean energy led to NYPA expanding its renewables plan, and the timing is particularly acute given headwinds to solar and wind coming from the White House.

“Instead of cutting deals with Trump or gutting New York’s climate mandates the way he is federally, [New York Democratic Gov. Kathy] Hochul must ensure NYPA leads the nation on lowering energy bills, slashing pollution, creating good green jobs, and protecting our planet now,” the Public Power NY Coalition said in a statement. 

The expanded plan “shows NYPA can build even more than the 15 GW necessary for us to meet the state’s climate goals, including 5 GW downstate,” the group added.

The draft plan notes that the most frequent comment received during the renewables strategy public comment period was for the power authority to build 15 GW of renewable energy. “NYPA has limited financing capability and must act prudently within its resources to finance and partner on those new renewables projects it can while maintaining its AA credit rating,” the report said.

The plan published Tuesday calls for 20 new renewable generation projects and 156 energy storage projects representing a combined capacity of more than 3.8 GW.  That is on top of the 37 projects totaling 3 GW of renewables in the initial plan.

The NYPA Board of Trustees approved the first tranche of projects identified in the inaugural strategic plan in January. Including those, NYPA said the draft plan highlights 64 potential clean energy projects representing nearly 7 GW of capacity.

A public comment period for the updated draft will run until Sept. 12, the power authority said, and two public hearings will be held in August.