New York is hitting the gas on big clean-energy builds, opening a 2025 procurement round aimed at large-scale solar and wind projects that are nearly ready to break ground. State leaders say the move is meant to lock in federal tax incentives, grow local clean-energy jobs and keep the state on track for an emissions-free electricity grid by 2040.
NYSERDA's 2025 land-based solicitation
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has launched the 2025 Land-Based Renewable Energy Solicitation (RESRFP25-1), a two-step process that purchases long-term renewable energy certificates from mature projects. According to NYSERDA, the solicitation drew 19 bid proposals representing about 1.4 gigawatts of capacity and set firm application deadlines, with conditional award notifications expected in February 2026.
Hochul directs agencies to fast-track construction
Governor Kathy Hochul has instructed state agencies to move "shovel-ready" projects to the front of the line, with a particular focus on those that may qualify for expiring federal tax credits. In a press release from the Governor's Office, officials said permitting, interconnection and financing processes will be streamlined so that projects can move from planning to construction more quickly.
What the round prioritizes
The request for proposals explicitly favors projects that already have advanced permits and executed grid-connection agreements. It also bakes in requirements tied to labor standards, agricultural land protections and benefits for disadvantaged communities. Those elements, along with the solicitation's effort to simplify bid requirements, are summarized by industry observers at REGlobal.
Solar numbers and jobs
New York now has more than six gigawatts of installed solar capacity, which officials say is roughly enough to power about one million homes and businesses. NYSERDA also reports that distributed solar projects have supported roughly 14,000 solar jobs across the state. Those milestones, along with a growing pipeline of projects edging toward construction, give New York added leverage to capture federal incentives and private investment, according to NYSERDA.
What local communities should watch
If this procurement leads to project awards, communities hosting the buildouts can expect construction activity, new local tax revenue and public permitting proceedings. Permitting for major renewable projects will run through the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES), which oversees siting for large-scale facilities.
For now, industry outlet Energies Media notes that this round is tailored to accelerate projects that are ready to build and can still take advantage of available federal tax credits.
NYSERDA's timetable calls for proposers to be notified of initial awards and for contracts to be executed before long-term renewable energy certificate purchases are finalized. Communities and developers will be watching the agency's upcoming public notices for those award announcements and for details on local outreach schedules.
