Large-Scale Renewables

Issues annual procurements for eligible renewable energy generators and developers interested in long-term REC contracts from NYSERDA in pursuit of the State’s goal of generating 70% of the its electricity by 2030.

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Offshore Wind

Poised to become a major source of affordable, renewable power for New York, as the State is on its way to developing 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.


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Build-Ready

Advances large-scale renewable energy projects by identifying sites that are consistent with the State’s standards and are made build-ready for private renewable energy developers.


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Great Lakes Wind Feasibility Study

Considers the environmental, maritime, economic, and social issues as well as market barriers and costs of developing wind in the Great Lakes to help New York achieve Climate Act goals.


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Progress To Date

Combined with the existing baseline of renewable facilities in New York, the current pipeline of renewables already under contract and in development projects will power 50% of New York's electricity once operational. 

 Progress to 70 percent renewable energy by 2030; operating renewables today comprise 27 percent of the state’s forecasted electricity in 2030, of which 88 percent is from hydroelectric sources, 7 percent from land-based wind, and 5 percent from distributed solar. Contracted and pipeline renewable resources comprise 23 percent of the 2030 forecasted electricity, of which 52 percent will be generated by offshore wind resources, 28 percent from large-scale solar, 13 percent from land-based wind, and 7 percent from distributed solar. Expected future contributions from renewable resources not yet contracted will add the remaining 20 percent of renewable energy to achieve 70 percent renewable energy by 2030.

New York’s Clean Energy Standard (CES) is designed to fight climate change, reduce harmful air pollution, and ensure a diverse and reliable low carbon energy supply. The expansion of the CES so that 70% of New York's electricity comes from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by 2030 was codified under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.. By focusing on low carbon energy sources, the CES will bring investment, economic development, and jobs to New York State.

  • Investment in New York’s renewable energy transition can be seen through more than $29 billion in public and private investment which includes nearly 100 onshore solar, wind and hydro, and offshore wind projects; as well as investments in transmission as part of constructing New York's Green Energy Transmission Superhighway.
  • The renewable energy infrastructure created by these investments (in-service, contracted, and to-be contracted) will provide the following benefits to New Yorkers:
    • More than 40 million megawatt hours of clean energy annually
    • More than 25% of the electricity expected to be consumed in New York State in 2030
    • Eliminating over 20 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year
  • In addition to renewable energy, New York is laser focused on driving down energy demand through investment in energy efficiency. Through NYSERDA and utility programs, over $6.8 billion is being invested to decarbonize buildings across the State. By improving energy efficiency in buildings and including onsite storage, renewables, and electric vehicle charging equipment, the State will reduce carbon pollution and achieve the ambitious target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs by 2025, the equivalent of powering 1.8 million homes.

Turning Targets into Reality

The CES creates two mechanisms to turn New York State’s ambitious clean energy goal into a reality. Together the renewable energy standard (RES)The Renewable Energy Standard (RES) –
A part of the Clean Energy Standard. The RES has three parts: Tier 1 obligation for utilities and other LSEs; Tier 2 obligation for older generators in financial risk; and a third, new program focused on offshore wind resources. and the zero-emissions credit (ZEC) requirement Zero Emissions Credit (ZEC) –
A credit for generating one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity with zero-emissions (no carbon) attributes that is consumed by a retail customer in New York State. will help create a low carbon energy system.

  • The RES requires every load serving entity (LSE)Load Serving Entity (LSE) –
    These are often called utilities or electric companies, but LSEs include any entity or organization: utilities, municipal electric systems and electric cooperatives, authorized or required to supply energy or energy-related services to retail customers.     in New York State to procure renewable energy credits (RECs)Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) –
    A certificate that is proof that one MWh of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource.     associated with new renewable energy resources—known as Tier 1—for their retail customers. If LSEs cannot demonstrate they are meeting the Tier 1 obligation through the possession of RECs, they may make alternative compliance payments (ACPs).
  • The ZEC requirement mandates the LSEs procure ZECs from NYSERDA. The number of ZECs is based on each LSE’s proportionate amount of statewide load, or energy demanded, in a given compliance year.

In addition to these programs, NYSERDA is also advancing offshore wind energy projects through its Offshore Wind Program. NYSERDA also works with its State partners and local communities to rapidly advance new “Build-Ready” projects, prioritizing the development of existing or abandoned commercial sites, brownfields, landfills, former industrial sites, and other abandoned or underutilized sites.

The New York Generation Attribute Tracking System (NYGATS) will record and track information on electricity generated, imported, and consumed within New York State. Additionally, NYGATS will demonstrate LSE compliance with, and progress toward, the CES goal.

LSEs that elect to purchase RECs or that are required to purchase ZECs from NYSERDA can find additional information in REC and ZEC Purchasers.