Build-Ready Program
Overview
NYSERDA is partnering with local communities across New York State to identify and advance under-utilized land for renewable energy projects. NYSERDA takes difficult sites and makes them "build-ready" for private renewable energy developers to ultimately construct and operate.
Renewable energy projects not only provide a source of energy that is environmentally sustainable—they make good neighbors by unlocking new revenue, creating local jobs, and transforming previously under-utilized spaces.
Under-utilized lands include, but are not limited to:
- Existing or abandoned commercial sites
- Brownfields
- Landfills
- Former commercial or industrial sites
- Dormant electric generating sites
How Build-Ready Works
- Site Nomination and Identification
: An elected official, local community member, private company, or other interested party nominates a potential Build-Ready site through our nomination form.
- Site Evaluation: NYSERDA conducts an evaluation to assess the viability of the site.
- Permitting, Design, Interconnection & Benefits: If the site is viable, NYSERDA works with municipalities to advance the permitting, design and interconnection process. In parallel, NYSERDA actively engages with the host community to put together a customized benefits package.
- Auction Site, Construction & Operation: NYSERDA auctions the site to private renewable energy developers through an open and competitive process for construction and operation.
First Project Site
NYSERDA is advancing the first Build-Ready project site through initial assessment and analysis of technical development potential.
Nominate a site for consideration as a Build-Ready Project. The Build-Ready Program will review and evaluate the site and determine if it’s a good candidate for a Build-Ready Project. More information .
Program Opportunities
This page will be updated regularly to feature open Build-Ready Program opportunities including Build-Ready site Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposals (RFP's).
There are currently no open Build-Ready Program Opportunities.
Resources
- Build-Ready: For Private Landowners [PDF]
- Local government fact sheet [PDF]
- Build Ready Community Benefits Package [PDF]
- Minimizing Conflicts and Competition Between Build-Ready and Commercial Developers [PDF]
Webinars
Program Documents
The Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act legislation may be accessed via Part JJJ of the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation (TED) Bill, beginning on page 103 .
- Clean Energy Resources Development and Incentives: The Build-Ready Program Annual Progress Report, 2021 [PDF], released April 2022
- New York Public Service Commission Order Approving Build-Ready Program [PDF], released October 15, 2020
- Build-Ready Implementation Plan [PDF], released January 2021
- Clean Energy Resources Development and Incentives: The Build-Ready Program Annual Progress Report, 2020 [PDF], released April 2021