The portfolio consists of the following geographically diverse mix of projects:
Darby Solar – 27 MWdc – Capital Region – Easton, NY.
Branscomb Solar – 27 MWdc – Capital Region – Easton, NY.
Stillwater Solar* – 27 MWdc – Capital Region – Stillwater, NY.
Grissom Solar – 27 MWdc – Mohawk Valley – Mohawk, NY.
Regan Solar – 27 MWdc – Mohawk Valley – Mohawk, NY.
Pattersonville Solar – 27 MWdc – Mohawk Valley – Pattersonville, NY.
Janis Solar – 27 MWdc – Southern Tier – Willet, NY.
Puckett Solar – 27 MWdc – Southern Tier – Greene, NY.
* Stillwater Solar was developed by East Light Partners, acquired by GSRP, and is being constructed by CS Energy.
In 2016, under the direction of Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York’s Public Service Commission established the Clean Energy Standard, which has been further bolstered by 2019’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, committing that 70% of the electricity consumed in New York would be generated by renewable energy sources by 2030. The eight solar projects, developed in close co-ordination with the local community and regional stakeholders, were awarded contracts by NYSERDA as part of its Renewable Energy Standard Request for Proposals in 2017 and 2018.
Generating over 500 construction jobs, the solar portfolio will further support the jobs segment of renewable energy installers —already recognised as being among the fastest growing job segments in New York. Beyond jobs, the projects represent over US$160 million of private investment and are expected to generate over US$80 million in benefits into local communities and regions. These benefits accrue to local landowners, property tax jurisdictions, as well as the local contractors who will provide ongoing operations and maintenance support for the projects.
“CS Energy is proud to continue to support New York as it achieves its ambitious clean energy goals,” said Eric Millard, Chief Commercial Officer of CS Energy. “As the leading solar company in the state, we are proud to be leading upstate New York’s first utility-scale solar projects in close collaboration with local communities. Furthermore, we are pleased to have partnered with the fantastic teams at Goldman Sachs Renewable Power, NYSERDA, and National Grid, all of whom have made significant contributions towards the success of these projects.”
This portfolio represents a significant step toward CS Energy’s goal of being the preeminent solar company in New York State. To date, CS Energy has built over 150 MWdc of solar projects in New York, and by the end of 2021 that number will be close to 500 MWdc.
CS Energy chose to partner with the Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group to provide the financing and asset management services required to successfully construct, own and operate the projects. Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group is deeply committed to renewable energy, and currently owns and operates more than 2.3 GW of clean power across the country.
“The GSAM Renewable Power Group is excited that The State of New York has demonstrated such decisive leadership with the Clean Energy Standard, which is critical for renewable energy project development and capital formation in New York,” said Michael Conti, Vice President of GSAM Renewable Power Group. “We are happy to support the state’s initiative and work with CS Energy, a company that shares our focus on delivering exceptional quality to its customers while helping to realise a low-carbon future for the people of New York.”
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “The commencement of construction of this utility-scale solar portfolio is a major milestone for NYSERDA’s Large-Scale Renewables Program and represents the significant progress we are making together to get the state’s pipeline of projects built in 2021.
“Our nation-leading Clean Energy Standard will have a lasting impact on communities across our state, and we appreciate the work that CS Energy and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group are doing to help us achieve our ambitious, yet achievable, clean energy goals.”
“National Grid is proud of our long history of working with our customers, elected leaders, NYSERDA and renewable energy developers like CS Energy and Goldman Sachs Renewable Power to ensure we are doing all we can to deliver clean energy to New York’s homes and businesses,” said Rudy Wynter, President of National Grid NY. “For us, it is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of energy infrastructure, advance our mutual clean energy goals, ensure a safe reliable, affordable energy delivery system and – importantly – it is an opportunity to leave things a bit better than we found them for the next generation.”
