50 Years of Energy Leadership and Planning Continues with New York’s 2025 State Energy Plan
Over the past 50 years, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has established itself as an objective, trusted resource for New Yorkers. NYSERDA has shown diligent leadership in facilitating meaningful change. Over the last half century, we have worked to diversify New York’s energy mix through the research and development of innovative energy technologies, build new markets and drive economic development opportunities for energy businesses – all while delivering life-altering programs directly to consumers.
The ability to adapt has never been so important as it is now. As New York continues its energy transition, NYSERDA once again – as was the case during the 1970’s energy crisis – is being relied upon to provide strategic leadership in a time of uncertainty.
It’s no secret that political and economic headwinds are impacting the pace of progress, not just in New York, but in many other states, as well. The answer to these realities is to acknowledge the issues and devise a plan that continues progress. The State Energy Planning Board, of which NYSERDA is a member and I’m honored to chair, has done exactly that by developing a plan that provides pragmatic guidance recognizing the reality of the times we are living in.
The recently approved State Energy Plan provides a 15-year outlook to guide energy planning direction with recommendations for meeting New York’s future energy demands. It advances multiple state objectives including ensuring affordable, abundant, reliable, and clean energy while supporting economic development, equity and healthy communities statewide. Keeping the lights on, delivering energy that New Yorkers can afford and growing our economy requires maintaining a diverse set of energy resources, upgrading our aging energy infrastructure and providing access to cost-saving energy efficiency and clean energy options. This plan incorporates feedback gathered from 10 public hearings with over 15,000 comments received from individuals, environmental organizations, energy companies, labor unions, business organizations, and others.
Successful implementation of the Plan will require state agency coordination, partnership across all levels of government and with communities, and the participation of private sector entities. I have no doubt that New York will once again rise to the challenge. And with this Plan, we will ensure our families and communities have more reliable and affordable energy through diverse resources and a resilient electric grid to power their homes and businesses well into the future.
The Plan builds on the progress New York has already made because of Governor Hochul’s commitment to creating a clean energy economy that benefits all New Yorkers – and the impact is real.
New York is already home to the country’s largest operational utility-scale offshore wind farm which is generating renewable energy to power 70,000 homes – with two more offshore wind farms under construction. And next year, the Champlain Hudson Power Express will deliver hydroelectric power to New York City – providing 20 percent of New York City’s power, all of it clean. The state also installed six gigawatts of distributed solar energy a year early and is on track to reach 10 gigawatts. This past June during a period of extreme heat, distributed solar helped to ensure the grid remained reliable and resilient by lowering the state’s peak load by 5%, which reduced statewide costs for everyone by more than $90 million.
I’m proud of the role that NYSERDA has played over the years to improve the lives of so many New Yorkers, and even more so of the Authority’s most recent contributions to the State Energy Plan. And as we look to the future, NYSERDA remains steadfast in its mission to drive New York’s energy transformation and secure a brighter, cleaner and healthier tomorrow.
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Chair of the New York State Energy Planning Board
