The projects include 1GW of solar and storage projects, representing nearly 40% of the total 2,408MW awarded.
The expected electricity output will meet the needs of 243,000 average New York homes and will avoid 880,000 million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Advancing large-scale solar projects like these newly awarded projects are helping to build out New York’s already massive renewable energy pipeline and are central to the State’s ability to create a zero-emission electricity grid.
“NYSERDA will work closely with EDF Renewables to ensure the communities hosting these projects are engaged throughout the development process and the responsible siting of them will not only help protect our valuable agricultural lands, but benefit the state and local economies alike.”
The projects include:
• Columbia Solar Energy Center: 350MWac with 20MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres (809 hectares) in the towns of Columbia and Litchfield, Herkimer County.
• Ridge View Solar Energy Center: 350MWac with 20MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres sited in the town of Hartland, Niagara County.
• Rich Road Solar Energy Center: 240MWac with 20MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 1,500 acres (607 hectares) in the town Canton, St. Lawrence County
EDF Renewables’ community engagement plans for the Columbia, Rich Road and Ridge View Solar Projects, include annual scholarships for students and an annual Sharing the Sun Fund for local community organisations during the construction phase whereby local review committees will select the awardees.
Starting in 2024, EDF Renewables will also sponsor an online training course for the solar workforce and a hands-on workshop in partnership with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Stephane Desdunes, senior director development, Northeast Region for EDF Renewables said, “The team has worked diligently to progress the development of our New York solar portfolio since 2017. We are proud of the fact we have been awarded 1,313 MW of the 2020 and 2021 procurements and 1,483 MW in total since 2018. With more than 1,000 MW of solar and storage projects still in the development pipeline, EDF Renewables looks forward to working side by side with NYSERDA and New York State to achieve the 70% by 2030 goal and deliver clean energy to the residents of New York.”
Desdunes continued, “The region will benefit from procurement and employment opportunities throughout the development, construction and operational phases. Combined the projects will create approximately 1,290 prevailing wage and union construction jobs in upstate New York during peak construction and contribute millions of dollars to the Counties, Towns and School Districts during the operational life of the projects.”
EDF Renewables’ North American portfolio includes 24GW of wind, solar, and storage projects developed throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.
