Exclusive | Clean energy group admits going green may mean chaos for New Yorks power grid as industry scrambles to meet new goals : report

A bombshell report from a clean energy group admitted that shifting to solar and wind may mean chaos for New York’s power grid as the state’s green energy law creates hurdles for cost and reliability.The report from the New York Affordable Clean Power Alliance, which represents solar and wind energy firms, noted that the state’s timetable to phase out energy generated by fossil fuel is unrealistic — and even dangerous.“The New York City area is forecasted to experience a generation shortfall starting in 2033, driven by an increase in peak demand and the planned retirement of existing dispatchable generation,” the report said.“New York faces hurdles in maintaining reliability due to ambitious renewables targets, the projected retirement of much of its flexible fossil generation fleet, growing load, and extreme weather,” the report said.The “intermittent nature” of wind and solar could create “challenges,” the report said.“Unlike fossil fuel plants, which provide dispatchable generation around the clock, renewables depend on weather conditions, making real-time supply and demand balancing more complex,” the report said.New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019 approved by then-Gov.Andrew Cuomo and the legislature requires the state and its energy producers and consumers to move away from fossil fuels by slashing gas emissions by 40% by 2030 with the goal of achieving 100% zero-carbon-emission electricity by 2040.The report cited a host of problems that has slowed down progress for ramping up renewables — including inflation-fueled supply chain issues; material and labors that have driven up costs; and delayed construction timelines for renewable wind and solar infrastructure.Moreover, higher interest rates have increased borrowing costs for developers, slowing investment in new projects, the report said.“These cost pressures affect all types of developers and would also drive up utilities’ costs if they wer...