The New York Power Authority (NYPA) received more than 85 responses to its recent Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to pre-qualify renewable development companies and investors that meet requirements to collaborate with NYPA on the development of renewable energy generating projects, including solar photovoltaic, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, geothermal, and related transmission. The RFQ closed for submissions on April 19, more than a month after its release on March 12. NYPA will now evaluate the responses and select investors and developers it will pre-qualify to work with on renewable development initiatives.
NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "NYPA is prepared to offer our experience and expertise to build renewables that will help advance the state's bold climate goals; however, we are going to need qualified partners that are ready, willing and able to support our mission and help us achieve the state's goals. We are pleased to see such a robust response to this Renewables RFQ and look forward to identifying and working with a stable of collaborators with diverse expertise to help us complete projects that will benefit all New Yorkers for decades to come."
The RFQ sought information from renewable developers outlining their experience and qualifications, allowing NYPA to evaluate respondents for pre-qualification that will last up to five years. NYPA anticipates inviting the respondents identified from this RFQ to respond to future Requests for Proposals or other procurement offerings where there will be the opportunity to submit complete project proposals, including terms and costs. A robust response to an earlier NYPA Request for Information, as well as discussions with stakeholders, including those consulted in NYPA's first annual conferral process completed late last year, helped inform this RFQ development.
NYPA expects to inform respondents on whether they have been pre-qualified for collaborations with NYPA by the end of May.
The Power Authority's positive impact on New York's carbon footprint dates to the 1950s and 1960s when it constructed the state's largest hydroelectric power plants in Niagara and Massena. Over decades of innovation from modernized generation and transmission to renewable energy and clean transportation NYPA is now well-positioned to help the state move into the next era of renewable energy production and realize its bold clean energy goals.
The 2023-24 Enacted State Budget provided NYPA with enhanced authority to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, own, operate, maintain and improve renewable energy generation and storage projects either alone or in collaboration with other entities to help support the state's renewable energy goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, maintain an adequate and reliable supply of electric power and energy in the state, and support the new REACH program, which will enable low-income and moderate-income electricity customers to receive bill credits through the production of renewable energy by NYPA. NYPA will publish its first biennial strategic plan for renewable energy development in January 2025.
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State's climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation's most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts - including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies - to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State's largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
Media Relations Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov
RFQ Questions Contact: nypa.bids@nypa.gov
