The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today (Sept 28) announced its participation in developing a 240-megawatt solar array in Canton, St. Lawrence County. The Power Authority, utilizing the public-private partnership model established in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget, is now the majority owner of Rich Road Solar with EDF power solutions North America as a private minority owner. The large-scale solar project will support more than 250 union construction jobs, and once operational, will contribute to the Power Authority's Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program, which provides bill credits to low-income New Yorkers. Rich Road Solar, which is expected to commence construction in late 2027 and begin operating in 2029, is the first large-scale renewable energy project acquired by NYPA as part of a public-private development to ensure the project is built.
"Amid industry headwinds, NYPA has built the business structures, assembled a team of seasoned professionals, and refined the project pipeline needed to advance large-scale renewable development across the state,"said New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "This year, those efforts are bearing fruit: Rich Road Solar is the first NYPA project to leverage a public-private partnership model and secure expiring federal tax credits. We're pleased to be partnering with EDF power solutions on this project as we bring this large-scale solar project to fruition. This project development demonstrates a successful model for New York State to accelerate clean energy projects statewide and strengthen New York's grid with emissions free generation resources."
Under the terms of the deal announced today, the Power Authority through its wholly owned subsidiary, the New York Renewable Energy Development Holdings Corporation (NYRED) acquired majority ownership of the project and will serve as the 51 percent majority owner as legislatively mandated. EDF power solutions, a market-leading independent power producer and service provider, will remain involved in the project's development as minority owner and oversee construction of the solar array on the 1,400-acre site.
Drawing on EDF power solutions's extensive experience designing, building, and operating energy infrastructure allows Rich Road Solar to benefit from proven technical expertise and best practices. Taxes and agreements tied to the project will be executed with the local community. This innovative collaboration also enables NYPA to benefit from the direct-pay federal tax credits for its ownership stake.
EDF power solutions North America CEO Tristan Grimbert said, "Rich Road Solar has been a long time in the making and today has taken a significant step forward to meaningfully contribute to New York State's clean energy transition. By developing and building this project with NYPA as majority owner, we are demonstrating how public-private partnership can deliver competitive clean energy at scale. Together we are supporting the state's availability of renewable energy, which benefits the host community, supports New York's clean energy economy, and adds to the state's diverse energy resource mix."
The project's 20-year Tier-1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) contract was awarded as part of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) 2025 Renewable Energy Standard Request for Proposals. In addition to direct economic benefits pledged to New York State by the project, additional benefits include $1.2 million in host community electricity benefit payments from commercial operation through the first 10 years of commercial operation. NYPA has also committed to making $300,000 in annual contributions to the Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program once the project begins operating.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "Projects like Rich Road Solar are key to growing New York's renewables pipeline, increasing our state's energy independence, and providing reliable energy to all New Yorkers. In addition, these projects create good-paying jobs and stimulate near- and long-term investments in the local economy."
Building on this progress, this month the Power Authority has begunconstruction of Somers Solar, a publicly developed 20-MW solar arrayon about 50 miles north of Albany in Washington County. The project will support more than 100 union jobs during construction in addition to the creation of multiple permanent positions. Taxes and funding agreements tied to the project will be executed with the local community. The project's contract was awarded as part of NYSERDA's 2024 Renewable Energy Standard Competitive Solicitation for the purchase of New York Tier-1 Eligible RECs. The project is expected to be operationalin late 2027.
In September 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul called upon State entities to fast-track shovel-ready renewable energy projects to take advantage of expiring federal tax credits. In response, NYPA is exploring project partnerships and acquisition opportunities across New York State and is leveraging its resources to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects.
New York's clean energy future continues to be strengthened by successful public-private collaboration. The completion of Smart Path Connect, a 100-mile transmission project in the North Country developed jointly by NYPA and National Grid, shows how modernizing essential energy infrastructure can move clean power more efficiently, eliminate bottlenecks, and deliver annual savings for New Yorkers. The Rich Road Solar and Somers Solar projects build on this momentum and reflect NYPA's commitment to expanding large-scale clean energy resources across the state through strategic collaboration and continued investment.
NYPA Renewables
The Power Authority's renewables program was established in the 2023-24 Enacted State Budget. The budget legislation signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul authorized and directed NYPA to advance renewable energy projects, support clean energy workforce training, and establish the REACH program. The Power Authority's renewables efforts are further supported by $200 million in funding through the Sustainable Future Program, announced by Governor Hochul as part of her 2025 State of the State and approved in the 2025-26 Enacted State Budget, along with an additional $100 million included in the 2026-27 Enacted State Budget. NYPA has allocated $1.2 billion to support the development of renewables projects through 2029, outlined in its four-year capital plan.
For more information on the Power Authority's efforts to develop renewable energy generating projects, please visit www.nypa.gov/renewables.
About NYPA
The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 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 LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.
