LIPA, PSEG Long Island announce start of 2022 integrated resource planning study

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and PSEG Long Island on June 23 announced the start of the 2022 integrated resource planning (IRP) study, which will build on previous work and identify the actions needed to continue on the path towards meeting New York State’s clean energy goals under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

The 2022 IRP will be developed by LIPA’s service provider, PSEG Long Island, as an agent of and acting on behalf of LIPA. The IRP will focus on identifying key changes to LIPA’s resource portfolio and transmission grid on Long Island and in the Rockaways, LIPA and PSEG Long Island noted.

IRPs are conducted every three to five years. The 2022 IRP will seek to examine the impact of CLCPA requirements, and other potential electricity market changes, during the study period of 2022 to 2040, and will recommend an action plan for the period of 2022 to 2030.

Signed into law by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in July 2019, the CLCPA aims to achieve 100 percent zero-carbon electricity generation in New York State by 2040 and sets targets that include: 70 percent of electricity consumed statewide be produced with renewable energy by 2030; the development of 6,000 megawatts (MW) of distributed solar by 2025; 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030; 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035; and 100 percent zero-carbon electricity generation by 2040. 

LIPA and PSEG Long Island said that CLCPA requirements will have a significant impact on the supply and demand of electricity across the state. Generation on Long Island and in the Rockaways will need to transition to a resource mix that is increasingly dominated by offshore wind, as well as adjust to the impact of increased beneficial electrification of other sectors, such as transportation and heating. 

Key objectives for the IRP include:

• Support and meet the state legislative requirements under the CLCPA;
• Eliminate Long Island’s dependence on fossil-fueled generation;
• Integrate substantial amounts of renewable and clean energy resources; and
• Identify the impacts of beneficial electrification and the benefits to disadvantaged communities for environmental justice empowerment

The IRP will consider supply-side (e.g., clean generation and energy storage), demand-side (e.g., energy efficiency and demand response) resources, and transmission investments. If the IRP identifies a resource need, LIPA will initiate a competitive procurement to identify alternative proposals that best meet that need.

LIPA and PSEG Long Island will accept written public comments on the proposed IRP scope of work for 30 days beginning on June 23, 2021. Additional opportunities for public comments will be provided later in the IRP process.

Additional information about the IRP is available here.