The New York State Public Service Commission recently authorized major upstate electric utilities to develop 62 local transmission upgrades to help integrate large scale renewable energy projects into the state’s electric grid. These changes are expected to speed the process toward the state’s 70% goal of renewable energy generation by 2030 outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
The move is a recognition that renewable generation output in the three upstate regions has been bottlenecked due to lack of adequate transmission capacity. To meet its aggressive energy goals, New York is investing more than $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.8 billion in NY Green Bank commitments.
“The Commission recognizes the need to address congestion in certain parts of the State where renewable energy is already bottled and where additional generation projects are in development or likely to be developed in the future,” Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said.
The Commission approved requests from Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, National Grid (upstate), and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation to develop 62 local transmission upgrades in three existing generation pockets in the Capital Region, the southwest, and northern regions of New York. In total, the 62 projects will create 3,500 megawatts of capacity for clean energy — enough electricity for more than 2.8 million average-sized homes.
Energy Projects are Complex; Harris Beach has Deep Experience
Generating new energy from renewable resources is a complex proposition involving much more than deployment of distributed solar panels and offshore wind turbines. The energy from that infrastructure must also get transported into the New York electric grid so it can power homes and businesses. That requires substantial additional investments in energy storage, as well as transmission.
