NYSERDA’s fourth annual request for proposals under the Clean Energy Standard, RESRFP20-1, was issued on July 21, 2020 and resulted in awards for 21 solar projects, including three with energy storage, and one hydroelectric facility to develop 2,111 megawatts of new, renewable energy capacity throughout New York State. The agreements will also support the development of 30 megawatts of utility-scale energy storage. These awards, coupled with awards for NYSERDA’s concurrent offshore wind solicitation ORECRFP20-1 and NYPA’s 2020 land-based renewables solicitation constitute the largest competitive procurement in the nation– over 4,700 megawatts of renewable capacity, enough to power nearly 2 million households.
The implementation of the Index REC contract structure under RESRFP20-1 resulted in competitive bids, with the awarded projects priced 40% lower than those awarded just one year ago. These awards continue to support the achievement of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s nation leading goal of generating 70% of New York’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030, consistent with the Climate Leadership and Community Benefit Act.
Accion Group, LLC, created the customized RFP solicitation website for RESRFP20-1, which securely hosted the solicitation process from issuance through contracting.