New York Power Authority Seeks Developers for SUNY Niagara Community College Solar Project
Proposals Requested for Up to 6 MW Solar System with the Option of Energy Storage
WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is seeking developers to implement an up to 6 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) energy project with the option of battery energy storage at SUNY Niagara Community College in Sanborn in Niagara County. The solicitation, which was issued today and requires submissions by April 17, is asking for proposals to help the college increase its use of renewable energy and reduce its carbon emissions to help New York State move toward a cleaner more sustainable future.
“The Power Authority is proud to help SUNY Niagara take a major step toward its sustainability goals by advising the college in choosing an environmentally friendly energy solution that brings financial savings,” said Justin E. Driscoll, the Power Authority’s president and CEO. “Bringing the right developer on board will activate one more opportunity for renewable growth and help New York State make the transition to clean energy.”
NYPA is requesting competitively priced proposals on behalf of SUNY Niagara to design, construct, install, finance, own, operate, and maintain solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems at 3111 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn. Evaluation criteria will include technical competency, implementation approach, strength of management team, price, risk analysis, and schedule for project delivery and completion.
SUNY Niagara President William Murabito said, “This project aligns our campus with SUNY and the governor’s clean energy direction. We look forward to partnering with the New York Power Authority to bring a solar array to fruition on our campus.”
NYPA conducted preliminary site assessments and anticipates installing a ground-mounted system with up to 6.0 MW of solar PV and potentially a 3 MW option of battery energy storage on a vacant parcel on the west side of the college campus. The systems will either be connected as “front-of-the-meter” or “behind-the-meter” resources.
NYPA’s role includes conducting individual site analysis, consolidating usage data and determining economic viability. The Power Authority will also review and evaluate the proposals, deliver a recommendation, and provide ongoing support during contract execution and project installation.
The selected proposer will enter an up-to 25-year power purchase agreement with the college detailing the commercial terms and conditions and operation and maintenance of the system.
The college aims to incorporate clean renewable energy resources and support the Climate Act’s renewable energy goals to reduce greenhouse gases 40% and achieve 70% of New York’s electricity through renewable sources by 2030.
Proposers must demonstrate past success in the development, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of Solar PV.
Developers are invited to participate in a walk-through at the site on March 26.
For more information and to review the RFP, access NYPA’s Procurement site here.
New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan
New York State’s nation-leading climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economywide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $50 billion in 66 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector in 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with 400 registered and more than 100 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the state to help target air pollution and combat climate change.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.
