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Bulk Energy Storage Program

 

2025 Bulk Energy Storage Solicitation

NYSERDA issued the inaugural Index Storage Credit solicitation, ISCRFP25-1, on July 28, 2025. Index Storage Credits (ISCs) are an innovative market-based incentive mechanism providing contracted bulk energy storage project owners greater revenue certainty while incentivizing participation in New York’s energy and capacity markets. In support of deploying additional bulk energy storage, NYSERDA intends to procure ISCs with ISCRFP25-1, the first of three annual bulk energy storage solicitations NYSERDA is required to issue through 2027.

ISCRFP25-1 garnered significant competitive interest from energy storage developers. NYSERDA received Bid Proposals for 46 eligible projects, comprising roughly 6 GW of power capacity and 30 GWh of energy storage capacity.

Complete bid proposals were due on Thursday, January 29, 2026. As part of complete proposals, proposers provided project summaries linked in the map below. The evaluation of Bid Proposals concluded in February 2026. NYSERDA will publicly disclose the results of the ISCRFP25-1 solicitation upon the completion of contracting.

All questions about ISCRFP25-1 or the Bulk Energy Storage Program can be directed to [email protected].

ISCRFP25-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Map

View the Bid Proposal Map
The ISCRFP25-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Map shows locations and summaries of the projects that are participating in NYSERDA’s competitive solicitation for Index Storage Credits. Receiving a NYSERDA ISC award does not guarantee that an energy storage project will be built. Rather, an award allows project owners to be paid for the ISCs that the project generates only once the project is built, operational, and available for charging and discharging. Local governments in New York State still retain the legal authority to review, approve, and permit projects. Projects must also pass New York’s rigorous Peer Review and Quality Assurance processes prior to operation to ensure safety and fire code compliance. NYSERDA expects to announce a list of final projects when contracting is complete in Q3 2026.

 

Associated Documents

Installation of 6 Gigawatts by 2030

On June 20, 2024, the New York Public Service Commission approved the Order Establishing Updated Energy Storage Goal and Deployment Policy [PDF]. The Order directs NYSERDA to issue three Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the new Bulk Energy Storage Program. The Bulk Energy Storage Program will use an innovative Index Storage Credit incentive, as established in the Order and modeled in part on the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) and Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Credit (OREC) utilized in other NYSERDA programs.

The June 2024 Order formally proposes 6,000 megawatts (MW) of energy storage to be installed by 2030, and authorizes funds for NYSERDA to support 200 MW of new residential-scale energy storage, 1,500 MW of new commercial and community-scale energy storage, and 3,000 MW of new large-scale storage.

The Order specifies that at least 35% of the benefits of these new energy storage projects will accrue to disadvantaged communities.

The Order builds on the recommendations from the New York's 6 GW Energy Storage Roadmap [PDF] that was filed in December 2022 by NYSERDA and the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS). The Roadmap proposed a comprehensive set of recommendations to expand New York’s energy storage programs to cost-effectively unlock the rapid growth of renewable energy across the State and bolster grid reliability and customer resilience. The 2024 Energy Storage Order Overview [PDF] includes high-level details on energy storage project funding and requirements, plus a timeline for next steps.




Bulk Energy Storage Program Resources

Resources and Relevant Documents

Proposer’s Webinar

On August 13th, 2025, NYSERDA held a webinar for Proposers. In this webinar, NYSERDA reviewed Step One Eligibility Application and Step Two Bid Proposal submission guidance, the Standard Form Agreement, and the Program Manual.

Host Communities’ Webinar

On January 21, 2026, NYSERDA held a webinar for local governments that may be hosting proposed bulk energy storage projects. In this webinar, NYSERDA reviewed energy storage concepts and technologies; ISCRFP25-1 timelines and information; and important local planning, zoning, and fire safety considerations.

Draft ISCRFP25-1

NYSERDA invited stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed content and timing of ISCRFP25-1 and the accompanying Draft Standard Form Agreement and Draft Bulk Energy Storage Program Manual. Responses to the Draft ISCRFP25-1, Draft Bulk Energy Storage Program Manual, and Draft Appendix A were due to NYSERDA on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Responses to the Draft ISC Standard Form Agreement were due to NYSERDA on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Peer Review Resources

The 2025 NYS Fire Code (FCNYS) requires that all battery energy storage system (BESS) installations exceeding established capacity thresholds are peer reviewed to ensure code compliance for upcoming projects. Local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) often lack the resources or expertise to evaluate critical BESS permitting documents which contain technical data that drives important siting requirements. Projects procured under NYSERDA’s retail and bulk energy storage programs are required to go through NYSERDA’s peer review process. The process will be conducted by vetted, qualified experts for applicable BESS installations. This process will assist local AHJs in their review of BESS permit applications and their compliance with existing fire code requirements.

AHJs in New York State still retain the legal authority to review, approve, and permit projects. Code enforcement officials will benefit from accessing and understanding these documents to create smart, critical alignment with the NYSERDA Peer Review Team. Further, AHJs can leverage these resources to develop a deeper understanding of project design details that are relevant to code compliance.

Market Acceleration Bridge Incentive Program Resources

NYSERDA’s preceding bulk energy storage program, the Market Acceleration Bridge Incentive Program (MABI), is closed. You can view MABI program materials in the drop down sections below.

Program Manual

Project Application Guidance

Quality Assurance Reference Guides

Our Quality Assurance (QA) program is responsible for inspecting a percentage of all the Energy Storage projects. We have developed the following guidance documents to help you comply with the QA program.

Field Inspection Reference:

Portal Reference Guides:


Webinar Presentations

6 GW Energy Storage Roadmap: Disadvantaged Communities Benefits Stakeholder Webinar – March 16, 2023

6 GW Energy Storage Roadmap: Bulk Storage Overview Webinar – February 28, 2023

Bulk Energy Storage Incentive Program – May 2, 2019

Contact

For additional information on NYSERDA’s bulk energy storage incentives, email us at [email protected].

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