TotalEnergies has begun construction of New York state’s largest onsite solar generating and storage system at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. The project is being developed in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
Located in the airport’s long-term parking Lot 9, the JFK solar carport will be erected as a canopy, providing the added benefit of covered parking for 3,000 vehicles. The solar carport will generate around 12 MW of onsite power paired with an additional 7.5 MW of battery storage to help reduce airport energy use during peak periods. Around half of the 12 MW will power the AirTrain rail link that connects JFK to the greater New York City area, while the remainder will be used by historically disadvantaged households in the communities surrounding the airport.
At a groundbreaking ceremony on April 23, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted the impact of the project.
“We are breaking ground on a game-changing solar project, which will give power to the AirTrain and support thousands of families in Queens,” Hochul said. “Supporting local minority- and women-owned businesses, this project will deepen our investment in the community while pushing forward New York’s nation-leading climate goals.”
U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY 5th District) was also in attendance and highlighted the benefits of the project to low-income residents of the state.
“The JFK Solar Carport Project brings us one step closer to a more sustainable future,” Meeks said. “I’m grateful for the Port Authority and the New York Power Authority’s leadership in spearheading a project that will reduce electricity costs for low-income residents across New York. We must continue to make critical investments into our local communities that increase quality of life and protect the environment for the next generation.”
The project is expected to be placed in service in phases during 2025 and 2026. When complete, the JFK solar carport will contribute to the Port Authority’s goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the agency’s facilities by 2050.
“As a top developer of renewables in the U.S. and worldwide, TotalEnergies is honored to support New York’s clean energy transition with this landmark solar carport and storage project at one of the nation’s largest airports,” said Marc-Antoine Pignon, managing director, TotalEnergies Renewables USA. “We applaud Gov. Hochul, PANYNJ and NYPA for their leadership on this unique project, which will not only make clean power accessible to millions of travelers who pass through JFK Airport each year, but also reduce electricity costs for residents of low-income neighborhoods in Queens.”
TotalEnergies recently reached more than 1.5 GW of renewable Power Purchase Agreements with over 600 industrial and commercial customers worldwide, of which 1.1 GW is already operational. These solar solutions are designed for self-consumption on the client’s sites and injection into the grid, thereby supporting their decarbonization efforts.
— Solar Builder magazine
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