New York’s State Energy Plan targets 9.4 GW of storage by 2040, 1 GW RFP launched

New York has formalized its clean energy goals in a new draft State Energy Plan, setting a course to deploy 9.4 GW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) by 2040. The plan establishes an interim target of 6 GW by 2030, a significant increase from just over 500 MW of storage capacity currently operational across the state as of mid-2025.

That figure includes just 26.6 MW installed through the calendar year 2025, down from 2023’s peak of just over 116 MW.

The plan states its purpose is to provide “broad policy direction that guides energy-related decision making” with a focus on reliability and affordability. To advance these goals, the state, via the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), has launched its first Bulk Energy Storage Request for Proposals (RFP), seeking to procure 1 GW of new capacity. The procurement, the first of three RFPs, aims to best integrate the state’s planned expansion of intermittent renewable resources, including 35 GW of solar and 18 GW of wind power by 2040.

A previous 6 GW Energy Storage Roadmap was published in 2024, which then authorized funds for NYSERDA to support 200 MW of new residential-scale energy storage and 1,500 MW of new commercial and community-scale energy.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority president and CEO Doreen M. Harris said in a statement, “NYSERDA’s Bulk Energy Storage Program provides an opportunity to more than double the current amount of energy storage that has been deployed, contracted, and awarded statewide. This solicitation will further advance New York’s focus on grid reliability, peak reduction and affordability while meeting the demand for more storage to be safely installed across our state.” The RFP was announced by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

First applications are due to NYSERDA by 3:00 p.m. ET on September 4, 2025.

While a specific gigawatt-hour (GWh) target was not detailed in the overview, the scale of the GW goal and steps to work towards energy storage resources performing essential grid services, including advanced grid-forming functions, suggests a significant energy storage capacity, possibly reaching around 20-40 GWh depending if two- or four-hour durations are required for BESS projects.

The state’s 9.4 GW goal solidifies its position as a national leader, second only to California’s mandate.