New York issues solicitations for nuclear new-build

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) follows on from Requests for Information issued by the authority last year, to which more than 30 entities - including 23 potential developers or partners and eight Upstate New York communities - responded. It aims to identify a set of developers qualified to deliver an advanced nuclear generation project across two possible technology pathways: a large-scale reactor, "such as the AP1000" and/or a small modular reactor "such as the BWRX-300". 

Respondents are asked to present "credible pathways" to deliver at least 1 GW of advanced nuclear capacity in Upstate New York, including technology readiness, siting and permitting strategy, schedule and cost assumptions, ownership structures, and partnership models. Qualified firms will then be invited to participate in a future Request for Proposal.

The authority said it would consider so-called nth-of-a-kind Generation III+ or Generation IV technologies provided that a first-of-a-kind project (either by the respondent or by another owner/developer) is "at or beyond First Nuclear Concrete by early 2030". The selected pathway must "demonstrate a credible path to both produce 1+ GW of energy and start construction before 2033" to ensure eligibility for investment tax credits under the US Inflation Reduction Act Investment Tax Credit. First-of-a-kind technologies and micro modular reactors are outside the scope of this project. Bidders must have "commensurate experience".

The deadline for submissions is 26 June.

The second solicitation is a Request for Applications (RFA) inviting eligible training providers based in New York State to apply for funding to develop and deliver technical training under the Nuclear Energy Workforce Training initiative. The deadline for submissions under the RFA is 31 July.

"Nearly a year ago, I called on the Power Authority to lay the groundwork for the next era of emissions-free power in New York as part of my all-of-the-above approach to energy," New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. "The solicitations announced today will help ensure New York is poised to lead the nation in new nuclear development, that along with renewables, will provide needed power in the face of increasing demand to keep the lights on while helping keep costs down. By taking a proactive approach, we are preparing our state to take advantage of the opportunities associated with advanced nuclear, which will provide round-the-clock reliable clean energy while cultivating the partnerships needed to bring the project from concept to concrete."

"New York needs reliable, around‑the‑clock clean power to meet growing energy demand, sustain economic momentum, and achieve a clean energy economy," New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin Driscoll said. "These solicitations will help NYPA establish the roadmap for deploying the first new nuclear facility in New York in a generation that will deliver the dependable, emissions‑free power we will rely on for decades to come."

Four nuclear reactors - all operated by Constellation Energy - currently provide some 21.4% of all New York's electricity, and 41.6% of its carbon-free electricity, according to information from the Nuclear Energy Institute. The State of New York has already supported the continued operation of those facilities - two units at Nine Mile Point and the single-unit Ginna and Fitzpatrick plants - by explicitly recognising their zero-carbon attributes in its clean energy mandate. Two pressurised water reactors at the Indian Point plant were closed down prematurely in 2020 and 2021 respectively following on from a settlement agreement between the plants' then-owner Entergy and the State of New York, although earlier this year New York Congressman Mike Lawler called for those units to be returned to service.