NYSERDA Greenlights 1.7 GW of Storage, Solar Projects Across New York
New York is moving forward on eight bulk energy storage projects and 13 large-scale renewable energy projects totaling 1.7 GW of new capacity, Solar Power World reports, citing the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Market Impact
The combined portfolio is expected to generate more than $3.7 billion in private investment and create over 1,000 “family-supporting jobs,” according to NYSERDA. The eight storage projects, selected from 46 bid proposals totaling roughly 6 GW, will add 950 MW of new storage capacity, more than doubling the state’s current utility-scale storage fleet. These lithium-ion projects range from four to eight hours in duration and are spread across the state, including Lighthouse Energy Storage in Chautauqua County, Zenobe Burns in Allegany County, Eastwater Energy Storage in the Finger Lakes, KCE NY 5 in Hudson Valley, Blue Spruce and Palladium storage in Bronx County, and Holtsville and KCE NY 37 on Long Island.
“These newly-contracted large-scale energy projects not only further the growth of clean energy and more than double the utility-scale energy storage that exists currently statewide, but they contribute to New York’s comprehensive, all of the above energy strategy,” said Doreen M. Harris, NYSERDA president and CEO. “This will help reduce costs for New York ratepayers while continuing to improve the reliability of our state’s grid.”
Separately, 13 contracted renewable projects, including Flint Mine Solar, Hecate Greene 1 and 2, Greens Corners Solar Park and Rich Road Solar Energy Center, will add more than 719 MW of capacity, enough to power over 230,000 New York homes annually. NYSERDA says $127 million in economic activity is expected to flow to disadvantaged communities as defined by the state’s Climate Justice Working Group. All projects must reach in-service status by the end of 2030 under the 2024 New York Public Service Commission’s Energy Storage Order, and storage systems must meet safety codes that took effect January 1, 2026.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Electrical, civil, and battery-installation crews should watch for subcontract packages tied to the eight named storage sites, including Lighthouse Energy Storage (Chautauqua County), Zenobe Burns (Allegany County), and the two Bronx County projects, Blue Spruce and Palladium.
- Payments under these NYSERDA contracts don’t start until commercial operation, meaning permitting and local approvals must clear first. Firms bidding on these jobs should confirm each project’s permitting timeline before committing crews or equipment.
- Lithium-ion storage installers need to build compliance with New York’s new storage safety codes (effective January 1, 2026) into bids now, since all contracted projects are contractually required to meet them.
- NYSERDA plans to issue its second annual Bulk Energy Storage RFP by year-end 2026, part of a three-solicitation push to procure 3 GW of storage. Subcontractors should track that RFP release for the next wave of bid opportunities.
- With a 2030 in-service deadline set by the state’s Energy Storage Order, solar EPC and civil contractors on projects like Flint Mine Solar and Rich Road Solar Energy Center should expect compressed construction schedules once contracts finalize.
