Requests for Proposals for Offshore Wind and Land-Based Renewable Projects to be Released on November 30, 2023, with Bids Due in January 2024

November 16, 2023

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today the schedule for expedited offshore wind and land-based renewable energy solicitations as part of New York’s 10-Point Action Plan to bolster its growing large-scale renewable industry. The forthcoming Requests for Proposals will be released on November 30, 2023, with bids due in January 2024. These solicitations support the State’s progress toward achieving New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals of sourcing 70 percent of New York’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and developing 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035.

“For New York to continue to be a climate leader, we must be proactive in addressing the near-term challenges affecting the clean energy industry,” Governor Hochul said. “We remain committed in powering our state with affordable, zero-emission and reliable electricity. The release of this expedited and competitive solicitation process demonstrates our commitment to ensuring New York remains the place for the renewable energy industry to do business.”

Through these solicitations, New York State aims to keep pace toward achieving New York’s Climate Act goals. Projects that previously petitioned the New York State Public Service Commission for financial relief can choose to participate, though the solicitation will also emphasize competition between these and other projects, ensuring the integrity of the process and best value for New York electricity consumers.

Offshore Wind Solicitation
For the offshore wind solicitation, final proposals will be due on January 25, 2024, with award announcements expected by the end of February 2024.

Additional information regarding existing offshore wind projects is available on NYSERDA's website.

Land-Based Renewables Solicitation
For the land-based renewables solicitation, the process for submitting proposals will be conducted in two steps, with the first step (eligibility requirements) due on December 21, 2023, and the second step (final proposals) due on January 31, 2024. Award announcements are expected by the end of April 2024.

Additional information regarding existing land-based renewable energy projects is available on NYSERDA's website.

President and CEO of NYSERDA Doreen M. Harris said, “Through the timely issuance of these expedited solicitations, NYSERDA continues to adapt to changing market conditions to facilitate the renewable energy industry’s expanded pace of deployment in New York. These competitive solicitations represent an opportunity to bring New York’s renewable energy projects into alignment with one another and the broader market, with an eye toward achieving our Climate Act goals at an affordable cost to consumers".

These expedited solicitations will build on the momentum established by the Governor’s announcement last month of the largest state investment in renewable energy in United States history. The conditional awards included three offshore wind and 22 land-based renewable energy projects totaling 6.4 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power 2.6 million New York homes and deliver approximately 12 percent of New York’s electricity needs once completed. When coupled with two marquee offshore wind blade and nacelle manufacturing facilities, New York’s newest round of awarded projects is expected to create approximately 8,300 family-sustaining jobs and spur $20 billion in economic development investments statewide, including developer-committed investments to support disadvantaged communities.

New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State's nation-leading 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 on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York's unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $55 billion in 145 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2021 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with nearly 400 registered and more than 100 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.