Canadian-based renewable energy project developer Boralex has gained Tier-1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) contracts for two of its proposed utility-scale solar projects in New York.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) granted the REC agreement with Boralex. The certificates are connected to the company’s Fort Covington and Two Rivers solar projects, totaling 450 MW in generation capacity.
The contracts were awarded as part of NYSERDA’s 2024 Renewable Energy Standard Competitive Solicitation for the purchase of New York Tier-1 Eligible RECs. Each REC represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from an eligible renewable source like solar energy. The NYSERDA Tier 1 designation is for new electricity generation from renewable energy entering commercial operation in the past 10 years.
"Our execution of these contracts for the Fort Covington and Two Rivers projects reflects Boralex’s strategic focus on growing our U.S. renewable energy platform," Hugues Girardin, General Manager North America at Boralex, said in a statement.
The 250-MW Fort Covington Solar project is located in Franklin County, while the 200-MW Two Rivers is in St. Lawrence County. Both projects are currently still in the permit application phase with the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission.
Construction of both projects, scheduled to begin in 2026, is expected to be commissioned in 2028. The projects are estimated to employ at least 300 construction workers as well as long-term operational roles. The generation capacity is equal to demand from approximately 105,000 homes.
Read about New York's Biggest Solar Project in EnergyTech
“Renewable energy projects like Fort Covington and Two Rivers, are crucial to New York’s clean energy transition,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “Additionally, public-private partnerships like this will bring meaningful benefits to Franklin and St. Lawrence counties by spurring economic investments and delivering affordable and locally-sourced energy to residents of these communities.”
Boralex has developed recent wind power projects in Quebec, Ontario and the United Kingdom, too. It also has completed wind farm repowering in France.
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