Systems

Commitments

NYC is committed to transforming its fossil fuel dependent electricity grid into one powered 100% by zero-emissions resources by 2040. A clean electricity grid must be resilient to the impacts of climate change while affordable for all New Yorkers. A clean energy system is foundational to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Our commitments include:

• 100% clean electricity for City government operations by 2025
• 100% clean electricity by 2040
• 500 MW energy storage citywide by 2025
• 1,000 MW solar installed citywide by 2030
• 100 MW solar installed on City-owned buildings by 2025

Reducing Reliance on Fossil Fuels

Most of NYC’s electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels, representing about a quarter of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). By the end of 2021, we expect our local electric grid to be approximately 85% powered by fossil fuels. This contrasts greatly with the upstate grid, where clean sources make up 91% of the electricity supply. Currently, there are not sufficient transmission lines to bring this clean power to NYC.

As a result, only about half of NYC’s electricity is brought in from outside the city; the rest must be produced within the five boroughs. NYC relies on 24 in-city power plants that run on natural gas and/or fuel oil. Most of these plants were built decades ago and 70% are over 50 years old. In addition to releasing GHGs that contribute to climate change, these plants release air pollutants that cause air quality and health issues in NYC communities. A top priority for our clean energy transition is to replace these plants with renewable energy resources in a way that is reliable and affordable.

To meet our climate goals, we must also collectively reduce the amount of energy we use in our homes and businesses by modernizing our buildings. Investing in energy efficiency where we live and work can also make indoor spaces more comfortable and improve local air quality. Local Law 97 of 2019, the cornerstone of the Climate Mobilization Act, requires buildings larger than 25,000 square feet to meet strict greenhouse gas emissions limits starting in 2024. These limits decrease over time to keep the city’s building sector on track to meet our carbon reduction goals. Buildings can reduce their energy use–and simultaneously, their GHG footprint–by modernizing heating and cooling systems, switching to LED lighting, and installing efficient appliances. Learn more about NYC’s efforts to modernize our building energy systems through the NYC Accelerator program.

In the future, even with aggressive energy efficiency measures, demand for electricity may still increase as people switch to electric vehicles and replace old-fashioned heating systems with electric heat pumps. A clean and resilient grid will therefore become even more central to our path to carbon neutrality and a healthier city.

Pursuing Large-Scale Renewable Energy

NYC uses about the same amount of electricity as the entire state of Massachusetts but has only 1/35 the space! There is simply not enough room to generate all the clean energy we need while we rely only on space within the crowded five boroughs. On average, NYC uses about 5,500 megawatts of power (NYISO 2022). In the summer, as New Yorkers turn on their air conditioners, citywide demand can increase to as much as 10,000 megawatts. To meet our 100% clean energy goal while satisfying NYC’s electricity demands, we will need to build new transmission lines to bring clean energy into NYC.

New York State is currently pursuing two major green energy infrastructure projects to power New York City with wind, solar and hydropower from upstate New York and Canada, and the City committed to purchasing power from these projects for City operations. Resulting from the City’s commitment to purchase electricity to power City government with 100% clean and renewable electricity by 2025, these infrastructure projects will create approximately 10,000 family-sustaining jobs statewide and bring $8.2 billion in economic development investments. Additionally, the projects will help reduce the City’s reliance on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, and significantly improve air quality and public health in disadvantaged communities.

Participating in New York State’s Climate Initiatives

New York State is taking ambitious action on climate; the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 (CLCPA) commits to 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, and a reduction of at least 85% below 1990-level GHG emissions by 2050. The CLCPA represents one of the most aggressive clean energy legislation in the country. The 22-member Climate Action Council will prepare in a Scoping Plan detailing strategies to achieve the State’s targets. The City is actively engaged in these important CLCPA processes and has submitted comments on the Draft Scoping Plan.

DPS regulations impact the way energy is generated, and delivered, and paid for.

Further, the City is deeply involved as a stakeholder at the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the organization charged with reliably operating New York State’s power grid. The NYISO oversees transmission and provides the market platform for generators to sell electricity to utilities and consumers. At the NYISO, the City advocates for new transmission projects and market design changes that will expedite the transition to clean energy while ensuring reliability.