New York solicits for wind

New York state is making up to $6 million available for one or two small wind demonstration plants as part of its deregulation framework. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is soliciting utility scale wind plants totalling at least 4 MW to be on-line by April 2001. According to NYSERDA's Gary Davidson, the authority will fund up to $2.9 million for projects of 2-4 MW and up to $5.8 million for projects larger than that. The deadline for proposals is February 2. State regulators require that the funding, formally announced on October 28, is made available from a systems benefit charge. The aim is to ensure that public service R&D is still done during deregulation of the state's electricity market. To qualify for funding, the plants must be located in New York state although the power can be sold to customers anywhere.