Key Capture Energy, Union crews moving forward on 20-MW Energy Storage project in Upstate NY

Aug. 25, 2022
The project will contribute to New York’s target of securing 6,000 MW of energy storage by 2030. The firm has a contract with Black & McDonald for construction and engineering services and is working with unionized labor

Energy storage solutions firm Key Capture Energy is making progress on a 20-MW, 40-megawatt hour (MWh) KCE NY 6 energy storage project south of Buffalo, New York.

The project will contribute to New York’s target of securing 6,000 MW of energy storage by 2030. The project has been enabled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Bulk Energy Storage Market Bridge Incentive program.

“New York is setting the bar for what it means to build a resilient, sustainable, and affordable grid in America and, as an Albany-based energy storage company, we are proud to play our part in delivering jobs and solutions that allow the state to achieve its bold climate and emissions reduction targets,” Jeff Bishop, Co-founder and CEO of Key Capture Energy, said.

The firm has a contract with Black & McDonald for construction and engineering services and is working with unionized labor under the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Locals 1249, 41, 42, and 43), the United Steelworkers (Local 135), and the Communications Workers of America (CWA Local 1122) for the project.

See our full coverage of Energy Storage projects

Subscribe to EnergyTech's free, tri-weekly Email Newsletter for more stories on the C&I Energy Transition

“Together with Key Capture Energy, we’re building a bold clean energy economy in New York with good-paying union jobs, strong labor standards, and a diverse, skilled workforce,” Mike Gaiser, Local 41 Business Manager, said. “IBEW members are proud to install and maintain the next generation of energy storage projects that will enable America’s clean energy future.”

Tax proceeds from the project will support the purchase of new emergency vehicles for Hamburg County. The original completed date was expected to be this summer. 

Key Capture Energy originally announced this project was starting work late last year. The company expects close to 1 GW (1,000 MW) in energy storage capacity in operation in New York, New England and Texas by the end of 2023.

Last month, it joined Sungrow during installation of 50 MW in battery storage at the KCE TX 13 project west of Abilene in a region of the state rich with wind power farms.