Two big green energy infrastructure projects are set to bring clean power to New York City from wind, solar and hydropower projects in upstate New York and Canada, New York governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday.
The two projects -- Clean Path NY (CPNY) and Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) -- were selected under the Tier 4 renewable energy solicitation issued by the New York State Energy Research Development and Authority (NYSERDA) in January.
Together they will provide about 18 TWh of upstate and Canadian renewable energy per year, equivalent to the needs of over 2.5 million homes, according to the governor's announcement, made during Climate Week NYC.
CPNY, which will deliver over 7.5 TWh annually, is being developed by Forward Power, a joint venture between Invenergy and EnergyRe, and the New York Power Authority. The USD-11-billion (EUR 9.4bn) project combines a 1.3-GW, 174-mile (280 km) underground transmission line with 3.4 GW of new wind and solar projects in upstate New York. It will make use of the existing Blenheim-Gilboa pumped storage facility.
According to New York Power Authority head Gil C Quiniones, New York has not made such an investment in energy infrastructure since the late 1950s to early 1960s.
CHPE is a 1.25-GW power transmission project that will bring hydropower from the Canada–US border to New York City. It is being developed by Transmission Developers Inc, a Blackstone portfolio company, and Hydro-Quebec.
The next steps will see the projects negotiate contracts with NYSERDA. The contracts will then be submitted for approval to New York's Public Service Commission. CHPE is already permitted and could start construction after its contract award is approved. It is expected to start supplying power to New York City in 2025, while CPNY is seen to begin deliveries in 2027.
The two transmission lines will lower the City's reliance on fossil fuels and advance New York's renewables goals. According to the governor’s statement, they will create about 10,000 jobs across the state and bring USD 8.2 billion in economic development investments.
Danish cable maker NKT A/S (CPH:NKT), meanwhile, said it has signed an exclusive preferred supplier agreement for the CHPE project following its selection for Tier 4 renewable energy credits (RECs). The company's scope will cover engineering, manufacturing and installation of the cables along the route. The job is expected to be worth about EUR 1.1 billion in current market metal prices.
(USD 1 = EUR 0.854)
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