New York’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has formally announced the adoption of the 70 per cent renewable energy mandate by 2030 as part of the Clean Energy Standard (CES). With this, the state has the authority to issue Request for Proposals for renewable power deployment so as to help in achieving the goals laid out in New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA. As per the CLCPA targets, New York would have 70 per cent of its electricity requirements met through renewable power sources by 2030 and ultimately a zero-emission power sector by 2040.

The initiative approved by the Public Service Commission includes:

  • Key provisions in the CLCPA related to securing 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, including technology eligibility and the amount of renewable energy needed to meet New York’s goal, annual procurement targets for the Tier 1 large-scale renewable energy program, and changes to the existing Tier 1 procurement processes
  • Target for securing 9 GW of offshore wind by 2035
  • Extending Tier 1 renewable energy eligibility to renewable energy facilities that undergo repowering
  • A competitive five-year Tier 2 program to preserve existing renewable baseline generation to support the 70 x 30 goal
  • A new Tier 4 large-scale renewable program to specifically value environmental attributes associated with renewable energy delivered into New York City that will be in addition to annual Tier 1 procurement targets
  • Creates tangible approaches to ensure that the State’s renewable energy programs provide substantial benefits for disadvantaged communities, including low to moderate income customers as called for under the CLCPA, and builds upon its workforce development policies to specifically promote good jobs, including prevailing wage requirements.

The order includes a directive for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to enter into contracts for 4,500 MWh per year for upstate renewables each year and 700 MW to 1,000 MW of offshore wind annually. This creates a strong market in New York and should attract the private investment needed to get projects under development.