New 600MW wind generation projects to be constructed in upstate New York
Invenergy, North America’s largest independent renewable power generation company, intends to deliver competitively-priced renewable wind generation to customers in New York City. In line with this, the company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HVDC transmission developer Empire State Connector Corp. (ESC) regarding the development of up to 600 MW of new Upstate New York wind energy generation projects that ESC could deliverto downstate electricity customers.
These wind generation projects represent approximately $1.2 billion of new economic development activity in Upstate New York for a total of $2.7 billion when combined with the $1.5 billion estimated construction cost of the ESC.
This MOU between the companies could be an important step in the implementation of the 50% by 2030 Clean Energy Standard under consideration by the New York State Public Service Commission.
ESC is developing a 1,000 MW HVDC transmission project known as the Empire State Connector that will allow upstate generators to physically deliver energy and capacity directly into New York City via two submarine cables buried in the Erie Canal and the Hudson River. The underwater route will have minimal environmental impact and no visual impact. The innovative route will slice through existing transmission congestion that has plagued New York for years.
“There exists strong interest in our proprietary transmission project as evidenced by this MOU,” said John Douglas, CEO of ESC. “Once our formal solicitation is completed this summer, we look forward to entering into binding service agreements with generators like Invenergy interested to capitalize on our proprietary low impact route. Our private sector solution will help New York State fund other important priorities like education and housing.”
Invenergyis a US-based company with industry leading experience building wind energy facilities. Together with its affiliated companies, it has developed more than 13,700 MW of projects that are in operation, in construction, or under contract, including wind, solar and natural gas-fueled power generation projects and energy storage facilities in the US. Over 7,650 MW of these MW are wind generation located at 68 wind farms across the United States, Canada and Europe.
“Invenergy is always looking for innovative ways to solve the energy challenges that face our customers and our communities. The ESC represents that opportunity with an experienced team who have a proven track record,” said James J. Murphy, Vice President, Business Development at Invenergy. “Upstate New York represents a viable and affordable solution for New York to achieve its Clean Energy Standard to become 50% renewable by 2030. Invenergy looks forward to making New York’s Clean Energy Standard a reality.”