SAN DIEGO December 16, 2024: EDF Renewables North Americaannounced today that the Morris Ridge Solar Farm has begun operating and delivering electricity to New York State. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded Morris Ridge a long-term contract through the 2018 Renewable Energy Standard Solicitation.
The 229 megawatt (MWdc) / 177 MWac Morris Ridge Solar Farm is located in the Town of Mount Morris and plays an important role in New York State's goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. The project has already had a positive impact on local communities, including Mount Morris and Livingston County, through financial benefits and job opportunities during the development and construction phases.
Construction of the Morris Ridge Solar Park employed up to 550 people, with over $22 million in wages paid. Beyond the anticipated $18.6 million in financial contributions to the territory and utilities over its lifetime, the project also generated over $70 million in benefits for the New York economy through the purchase of materials, services, labor, and other resources.
“ The Morris Ridge solar project not only represents our commitment to renewable energy, but also underscores our commitment to the economic and environmental development of New York State.", said Stephane Desdunes, Vice President of Development Canada and Northeast United States at EDF Renewables. We are proud to be the first project to receive a permit from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, marking a significant milestone in the transition to low-carbon energy in New York State. We are especially grateful to the host community, whose support and active participation were instrumental in making New York State's largest operational solar project a reality. We look forward to continuing to contribute to the state's sustainability goals in Mount Morris and other communities.“.
Doreen M. Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, said:»It is exciting to see a renewable energy project like Morris Ridge Solar begin providing clean, reliable electricity to families and businesses across New York State. This achievement is a shining example of how a community-led project can contribute to hundreds of local jobs while spurring significant economic development activity and investment in Mount Morris and Livingston County as a whole.“.
At full capacity, Morris Ridge Solar's power is expected to meet the electricity needs of more than 47,000 New York City homes. This equates to avoiding nearly 140,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually, comparable to the emissions of nearly 30,000 vehicles over the course of a year.
EDF Renewables, one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America, is committed to providing solutions to meet its customers' carbon reduction goals. With over 35 years of experience and 18 gigawatts of developed wind, solar, and storage projects, EDF Renewables provides integrated energy solutions ranging from grid-scale power to electric vehicle charging.