New York sets new mark record for solar, wind energy
NORTH GREENBUSH — Solar and wind farms in New York set collective hourly records for power generation as the state looks to move to emissions-free electricity by 2040.
Currently, the majority of solar and wind farms are located upstate where cheap, plentiful land is available for the facilities.
Offshore wind farms, which typically can generate much more electricity than wind farms located onshore, have yet to start producing electricity in New York, although several large offshore wind farms are in development.
As of Monday afternoon, New York state required 14,967 megawatts of power on a day when temperatures were in the mid-40s. During hot days in the summer, the requirement can be nearly double that amount.
Each megawatt of electricity can serve 800 to 1,000 homes.
The New York Independent System Operator said Monday that on March 9 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., the state’s wind farms generated 2,176 megawatts of electricity, serving 12 percent of the state’s total electrical load.
The previous wind record, set in December, was 2,134 megawatts.
The NYISO said the solar hourly record was set on March 12 between noon and 1 p.m. with 3,832 megawatts, serving 21 percent of the load. The previous record for solar in an hour was 3,744 set late last month.
Based on the data, it is likely that other records will be set in the coming months and years as more renewable energy projects come online.
The NYISO oversees the state’s high-voltage electrical grid.
“The contributions from wind and solar resources represent important, beneficial progress toward the state’s clean energy goals,” NYISO CEO Rich Dewey said in a prepared statement. “As load continues to rise across the system, additional generation and transmission will be essential to serve demand and maintain grid reliability.”