The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has approved a plan to develop 5.5 GW of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and energy storage, aiming to accelerate the state’s clean energy transition. The decision, finalized on December 9, 2025, follows the utility’s draft plan earlier this summer, which had initially targeted 7 GW, and builds on a plan announced in January 2025.

The revised target comes after 16 joint ventures with private developers were canceled, largely due to reduced federal tax credits and limited transmission capacity. Justin Driscoll, NYPA’s CEO, described the plan as “a strong portfolio of refined project opportunities” and emphasized that it will be iteratively updated as new projects become viable.

Under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York must achieve 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and fully decarbonize its power sector by 2040. Currently, natural gas provides roughly half of the state’s electricity, while hydroelectric and nuclear supply most of the remainder, with solar and wind contributing only single-digit percentages.

The plan has faced criticism from advocacy groups like Public Power New York, which argue that NYPA should aim for 15 GW of renewables and focus less on fossil-fuel infrastructure. Governor Kathy Hochul’s office defended the approach, calling it a realistic strategy to expand renewables while maintaining grid reliability and affordability.

The 5.5 GW plan positions NYPA as a key driver of clean energy development in New York, leveraging its authority to take majority stakes in projects and address shortfalls in private sector deployment.

Source: yahoo.com