EDF Renewables North America announced three solar projects with a combined capacity of 1 gigawatt by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of the 2021 solicitation for large-scale renewable energy certificates.
The projects represent about 40% of the total 2,408 MW awarded, and expect to start operation by the end of 2025.
The electricity generated at full capacity is enough to power over 243,000 average New York homes. This is equivalent to avoiding over 880,000 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
The projects are as follows:
·Columbia Solar Energy Center: 350 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres in the towns of Columbia and Litchfield, Herkimer County.
·Ridge View Solar Energy Center: 350 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres sited in the town of Hartland, Niagara County.
·Rich Road Solar Energy Center: 240 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 1,500 acres in the town Canton, St. Lawrence County.
Stephane Desdunes, Senior Director Development, Northeast Region for EDF Renewables, said, “With more than 1,000 MW of solar and storage projects still in the development pipeline, EDF Renewables looks forward to working side by side with NYSERDA and New York State to achieve the 70% by 2030 goal and deliver clean energy to the residents of New York.”
Desdunes continued, “Combined the projects will create approximately 1,290 prevailing wage and union construction jobs in upstate New York during peak construction and contribute millions of dollars to the Counties, Towns and School Districts during the operational life of the projects.”
EDF Renewables’ community engagement plans for the Columbia, Rich Road and Ridge View Solar Projects include annual scholarships for students, and an annual Sharing the Sun Fund for local community organizations during the construction phase.
EDF Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America with 24 gigawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects developed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Solar development accounts for 70% of EDF Renewables’ 15 GW pipeline.
