Three Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Approved in New York

April 22, 2026 Albany

DPS Announces Approval of Three Large-Scale Energy Projects

Together the Projects Are Expected to Deliver More Than $2.8 Million in Utility Bill Credits Over 10 Years Projects Will Bolster Local Economies and Provide Clean Energy to the Electric Grid Projects Expected to Create 550 Good-Paying Construction Jobs and Generate 343 MW of Clean, Renewable Energy ALBANY – In recognition of Earth Day, the New York State Department of Public Service announced the New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) has issued final siting permits to AES Clean Power for three renewable energy projects: Altona Wind and Clinton Wind, located in Clinton County, and Sugar Maple Solar, located in Jefferson and Lewis Counties. The three projects will generate 343 megawatts (MW) of clean energy, create 550 good-paying construction jobs and 25 permanent operations jobs, invest in crucial infrastructure, and increase tax revenues for local schools and other community priorities through tax and host community agreements.

“These approvals reflect New York’s continued progress towards a cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable electric grid,” said Public Service Commission Chair and Department CEO Rory Christian. “ORES has demonstrated once again that a rigorous, transparent review process and timely permitting decisions can go hand in hand, delivering lasting benefits for communities and ratepayers across the state.”

The three projects will deliver clean, affordable energy to New York’s electric grid:

• Altona Wind, located in the Town of Altona will contribute up to 107.5 MW;
• Clinton Wind, located the Town of Clinton will contribute up to 110.5 MW; and
• Sugar Maple Solar, located in the Towns of Croghan and Wilna, will contribute up to 125 MW. According to the project developers, these three projects will generate enough to power 60,418 average-sized homes and offset over 500,000 tons of CO2 per year.

“I am proud of the work that ORES is doing to contribute to New York’s clean energy future,” said Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission Executive Director Zeryai Hagos. “These three projects will bring good-paying construction jobs and millions of dollars in payments to the host communities while providing clean, affordable electricity to New York’s grid. The two wind projects are reusing the sites and some of the infrastructure of already existing projects, extending New York’s legacy of careful renewable energy siting.”

These three new permits bring the total number of large-scale solar and wind projects permitted by ORES to 35, representing over 5.1 gigawatts (GW) of additional, clean megawatts of renewable energy contributing to and strengthening New York’s grid.

The projects were approved after a rigorous, timely, and transparent review process that included public comment periods and hearings. Per Public Service Law Article VIII, all were permitted within the required one-year timeline. All three permits include enforceable conditions governing the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the facility, ensuring full site restoration at the end of the project’s operational life.

The two wind facilities in the towns of Altona and Clinton in Clinton County will replace existing facilities that have reached the end of their useful life. The existing facilities will be decommissioned and replaced with new more efficient and state-of-the art wind turbines and associated infrastructure as well as substation improvements. The new facilities will reduce the total number of turbines while delivering a generating capacity of 218 MW, an increase of 20 MW from the existing facility generation. The Clinton facility is expected to reach commercial operation in 2028 and the Altona facility in 2029.

Construction of the facilities will begin following the decommissioning of the existing turbines, and is expected to create approximately 116 full-time jobs. In addition, the two facilities will result in an estimated 12 permanent operations positions. The developer will endeavor to hire locally.

The two wind projects are expected to deliver over $80 million in local investments, including payments to the Towns of Altona and Clinton, PILOT and tax payments to Clinton County, school districts, and local fire districts, in addition to local expenditures for both construction and operation of the facilities. Under the Public Service Commission’s host community benefit program, the two facilities will also provide a total of $2,180,000 in utility bill credits for residents of the Towns of Altona and Clinton over the first 10 years of operation.

The Sugar Maple Solar Project will be located in the Town of Croghan, Lewis County, and the Town of Wilna, Jefferson County. The facility will include solar arrays, access roads, fencing, landscaping, buried and overhead collection lines, a 20 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), and interconnection facilities. The facility will interconnect to the New York electrical grid via a new point of interconnection located on National Grid’s existing transmission lines.

During the application process, the project design was revised to reduce impact in response to stakeholder input. As permitted, the project minimizes above ground power line construction, reduces necessary tree clearing, and includes substantial landscaping to screen the facility and preserve the aesthetic value of the area. In addition, agricultural co-utilization is proposed for the entirety of the 622-acre fenced area of the project, which will create harmony between the dual uses of the project land.

Sugar Maple Solar will create an estimated 434 full time construction jobs and three full-time operations positions and will provide fiscal support of nearly $15M in the form of direct payments to the Towns of Croghan and Wilna though a Host Community Benefit Agreement, as well as PILOT and tax payments to Lewis and Jefferson County, school districts, and local fire districts. Additionally, Sugar Maple Solar will provide $625,000 in utility bill credits for residents of the Towns of Croghan and Wilna over the first 10 years of operation, as required under the Public Service Commission's host community benefit program. The project is anticipated to reach commercial operation in 2029.

Town of Altona Acting Supervisor Brady Smart said, “The Town of Altona is pleased to hear the release of the Altona Wind Permit from ORES, it will be in continuation with our several other ongoing wind repower projects that are currently underway. Altona has long been committed to clean, renewable energy. The new repower will carry on that commitment, and most importantly provide stable revenue that helps to support our town’s essential services as well as helps to assist in long term budgeting. Renewable energy alleviates our taxpayers foremost, compared to the ever-growing tax burdens we see all around us. Altona thanks ORES for their role working with us and looks forward to working together in the future.”

IBEW Local 910 Business Manager Travis Flint said, “IBEW Local 910 is pleased that permits are being issued for Altona and Clinton Wind re-powering projects and the Sugar Maple Solar project in Jefferson/Lewis Counties.  Not only will these projects provide opportunities for our members to work in their hometown and help us to train the next generation of electrical workers through apprenticeship, but they will also help our communities meet the increased demand for electricity.”

Laborers’ Local 1822 Business Manager Scott Hilyard said, “Altona Wind, Clinton Wind, and Sugar Maple Solar will create good paying, family sustaining construction jobs for workers across our region. Local 1822 members deliver the training, the expertise, and the safety record needed to build all three projects to the highest standard. Our local union is glad to support this investment in our community and proud to embrace the economic opportunities of New York's clean energy future.”

NRDC Managing Director, Power Division Kit Kennedy said, “On Earth Day, we celebrate clean energy and sustainability. So it’s fitting that DPS has approved permits for these three clean energy projects today. New York State continues to demonstrate that it can improve the pace and scale of siting clean energy projects while creating quality jobs and upholding strong environmental standards.”

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Executive Director Marguerite Wells said, “ACE NY once again commends the staff of ORES for completing their mission of balancing our need for new, renewable energy sources and protecting the environment that makes New York the unique place it is. We have seen the benefits that completed renewable energy projects convey to their host communities, and we are sure that these projects being advanced by ORES will be no different. Thank you to Gov. Hochul for her leadership and continuing to recognize the important role renewables will play in the power grid of today and tomorrow, as well as all state officials who work to make our energy transition a reality, giving New Yorkers the benefits of home-grown, secure, and stable-priced energy.”

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “New York’s clean energy transition depends on more than ambitious goals, it depends on taking real action to deliver projects on the ground, and today’s ORES approvals for land-based wind and solar projects does exactly that. Together, these three projects will add more than 300 megawatts of new renewable capacity, helping to cut emissions, create hundreds of good-paying jobs, and advance New York’s transition to a clean energy economy. We commend Governor Hochul and ORES for continuing to streamline responsible siting and advancing much-needed clean energy projects across the state.”

New Yorkers for Clean Power Campaign Director Betta Broad said, “This Earth Day, our planet is more in peril than ever before, and it is vital that we forge ahead and continue to make progress on our state’s climate targets with clean energy investments, like these three renewable projects. Instead of staying locked into polluting and volatile fossil fuel dependence, New York can show that a transition to clean affordable energy will create jobs, cleaner air and healthier communities.”

Today's decisions may be obtained by going to the Department's Documents section of the website at www.dps.ny.gov and entering the Case Numbers for each project in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number." Altona Wind is 23-03029, Clinton Wind is 23-03032, and Sugar Maple Solar is 23-03027. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Department documents may also be obtained from the Department's Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

-30-

Contact Kim Mashke

Contact us by phone:

Phone 518-474-7080

Contact us by email:

[email protected]

Map Directions:

3 Empire State Plaza
Albany NY, 12223