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Solicitations for Large-Scale Renewables

 

2021 RES Solicitation for Tier 1 RECs

NYSERDA has launched the fifth annual Renewable Energy Standard (RES) request for proposals, RESRFP21-1Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page., to continue accelerating progress towards New York’s goal of generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Through the 2021 solicitation, NYSERDA seeks to procure approximately 4.5 million Tier 1 eligible Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from eligible facilities that enter commercial operation on or after January 1, 2015 and on or before November 30, 2023, unless extended to November 30, 2026.

RESRFP21-1 will be implemented through a two-step process, consisting of:

  1. Step One Eligibility Application: A qualifying step through which the proposer must provide evidence that the Bid Facility is register as Tier 1 eligible in NYGATS and other general information about the Proposer and the Bid Facility. 
  2. Step Two Bid Proposal: A competitive Bid Proposal step, through which NYSERDA will: (1) examine Bid Proposals to determine whether they demonstrate that the Bid Facility and Proposer meet the Minimum Threshold Requirements; and (2) for Bid Proposals that meet those Minimum Threshold Requirements, a competitive evaluation based on price and non-price factors.

Proposers of qualified Step One Eligibly Applications were permitted to submit Step Two Bid Proposals via the solicitation website by August 26, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. ET, to be considered for a Tier 1 award. Access the RESRFP21-1 solicitation website.

RESRFP21-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Response

In response to Step Two of New York’s fifth annual Tier 1 large-scale renewables solicitation, NYSERDA received 100 bids comprised of 56 solar, wind and hydroelectric projects, representing more than 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power more than 1.6 million homes across the state. The bids were also paired with more than 1,100 megawatts of large-scale energy storage. Interested parties may utilize the interactive map to view projects that have submitted a Bid Proposal.

Access the RESRFP21-1 Step Two Bid Proposal Map

The proposed renewable capacity submitted to the 2021 solicitation increased by more than 60 percent compared to last year’s NYSERDA procurement, highlighting the strong responsiveness and healthy competition of the large-scale renewables development industry in support of the State’s ambitious clean energy goals while also bringing forth significant economic and environmental benefits for all New Yorkers. NYSERDA expects to notify awarded Proposers in the fourth quarter of 2021.

RESRFP21-1 Proposers’ Webinar

NYSERDA hosted a webinar on this RFP for potential proposers on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Please view the presentation [PDF]  from the webinar for more information.

Associated Documents

Recent Solicitations

Information on the most recent RES solicitations is available here:

Aggregate RES and Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) information is available on the CES Resources webpage and the Large-Scale Renewables Open NY databaseLink opens in new window - close new window to return to this page..

NYSERDA continues to work actively with communities hosting awarded renewable projects to ensure they have the tools they need to make informed decisions regarding project development. For more information on renewable energy development and education, please contact cleanenergyhelp@nyserda.ny.gov and consult the Renewable Energy Standard solicitation FAQs [PDF]and Clean Energy Siting for Local Governments resources.

Project Siting and Permitting Resources

These resources can help inform proposers’ decisions regarding project siting for future solicitations.

Disadvantaged Communities

This interactive map identifies areas throughout the State that meet the interim criteria identified for a disadvantaged community as defined by New York State at the time of the 2021 Tier 1 solicitation, RESRFP21-1. It contains the 4,145 Census block groups that make up the interim Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) approach applicable to RESRFP21-1. The State’s Climate Justice Working Group is working to finalize the criteria for defining DAC in New York. These interim criteria will apply to all Large-Scale Renewable projects awarded before the final DAC criteria are finalized. Once the final DAC criteria are finalized, they will be incorporated into future solicitations and an updated map of New York DAC will be provided for reference in future solicitations.  

Interim Disadvantaged Communities Interactive Map Tool Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.

Agricultural Mitigation Resources

In order to facilitate the protection of agricultural lands in the state’s Agricultural Districts, Proposers awarded under RESRFP21-1 may be responsible for making an agricultural mitigation payment to a designated fund based on the extent to which the solar project footprint overlaps with New York’s highest quality agricultural soils, identified as Mineral Soil Groups classifications 1 through 4 (MSG 1-4). This mitigation approach intends to set a benchmark for potential agricultural mitigation payments, which solar project developers may be able to reduce by minimizing the facility’s impact on MSG 1-4 and/or introducing or retaining agricultural productivity on the project site. Instances where Proposers cannot avoid or minimize impacts on MSG 1-4 will result in a payment to a fund administered by NYSERDA in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to support ongoing regional agricultural practices.

RESRFP21-1 Map of NYS Mineral Soil Groups classifications 1 through 4 (MSG 1-4)Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page.

Downloadable data for MSG 1-4, by REDC Region:

Operational Flexibility and Grid Resources

The following NYSERDA, DPS, and NYISO studies and stakeholder proceedings are encouraged for use to inform Proposers’ due diligence. Proposers should note that these resources are subject to additional updates, and may be amended by other applicable studies and/or updated assessments and public data.

In 2020, New York State passed the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act [PDF] to accelerate progress towards the State’s nation-leading clean energy goals. The Act instructed the State to conduct a Power Grid Study to inform transmission system investments that will be necessary to achieve the clean energy goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). The Power Grid Study is comprised of three component studies: 1) a joint utilities study on local transmission and distribution needs; 2) an offshore wind study of bulk-power transmission needs; and 3) a statewide transmission analysis to achieve the Climate Act goals. To read the studies, review public comments, and engage in the public process, visit the Department of Public Service Matter Master 20-00905/20-E-0197Link opens in new window - close new window to return to this page. or access the studies below.

Energy Storage Resources

NYSERDA encourages proposers to use these resources to inform decisions regarding projects with energy storage for future solicitations.