New solicitation aims to advance shovel-ready projects and leverage federal tax credits to lower costs for New Yorkers
(WNY News Now) – ALBANY, N.Y. – Governor Kathy Hochul has directed New York State agencies to accelerate renewable energy development and construction as part of a new initiative designed to stabilize energy prices, expand clean power, and maximize the use of federal tax credits before they expire.
The announcement includes the launch of the 2025 Land-Based Renewable Energy Solicitation (Tier 1 RFP), managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The solicitation seeks proposals from developers of large-scale wind, solar, hydroelectric, and other renewable projects that are construction-ready.
According to the Governor’s office, the effort is part of New York’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable power for homes and businesses. The directive calls on multiple state agencies to streamline permitting, interconnection, financing, and contracting processes to advance shovel-ready projects that qualify for existing federal incentives.
“While the federal government takes us backward on energy policy, New York will not be thwarted in its commitment to clean energy. By directing our state agencies to move projects across the finish line, we are seizing every opportunity to leverage federal incentives, reduce costs for ratepayers, and build a more resilient, sustainable and reliable energy grid,” Governor Hochul said. “Together, these actions are expected to unlock billions in private investment, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and build a durable energy economy that benefits New Yorkers for decades to come.”
Statewide Impact
New York currently has a pipeline of 102 renewable projects under development, representing more than 9.7 gigawatts of clean power—enough to supply over 3 million homes. The state estimates that projects from the new solicitation could spur more than $5 billion in private investment and create over 2,500 jobs.
NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said the solicitation will maintain momentum in building out the state’s clean energy portfolio. “This solicitation will serve as another building block to help ensure a continuous pipeline of viable large-scale projects as part of New York’s versatile clean energy future,” she said.
Timeline and Process
The procurement process will be conducted in two phases:
- Eligibility applications due by October 21, 2025
- Final proposals due by December 4, 2025, at 3 p.m.
Conditional award notifications are expected in February 2026, with selected projects to be announced once contracts are executed.
Focus on Cost Savings and Grid Reliability
State officials emphasized that prioritizing shovel-ready projects eligible for federal tax credits will help lower energy costs while strengthening the grid. Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian noted the initiative will “spur the creation of much needed clean energy which will strengthen the reliability of our electric grid while creating good-paying jobs.”
Environmental and labor leaders also expressed support, citing the benefits of reducing emissions, preserving agricultural land, and ensuring strong labor protections.
New York’s Climate Goals
The initiative builds on New York’s broader climate agenda, which seeks to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050 while directing at least 35 percent of benefits to disadvantaged communities. Current efforts span energy, transportation, buildings, and waste reduction, with the goal of creating an affordable and equitable transition to clean energy.
More details on the solicitation, including application requirements, are available on NYSERDA’s Large-Scale Renewables Solicitation webpage.
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