NY Public Service Commission approves the construction of 90 MW wind project

The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) approved the construction and operation of the Cassadaga Wind Farm, a utility-scale wind farm in Western New York that will generate enough electricity for more than 36,000 average-sized residential homes.

The Cassadaga Wind project is a proposed 126 MW wind farm located in the Towns of Arkwright, Charlotte, and Cherry Creek in Chautauqua County, NY. The project will be located primarily on agricultural and recreational land and could include up to 48 turbines when completed. The project’s point of interconnection is National Grid’s 115kV lines 161 and 162 near the existing Moon Road substation in the Town of Stockton. If built, the project would result in an estimated 170,000 tons of CO2 emission reductions, and will span up to 40,000 acres.

The wind farm is made up of up to 48 high-capacity, 500-foot tall wind turbines, together with associated transmission lines (both underground and above ground collection lines), access roads, meteorological towers, O&M building, collection and point interconnect substations and related facilities.

To secure Commission approval, Cassadaga demonstrated that it obtained all necessary municipal consents to construct and operate its facility. Further, evidence in the proceeding demonstrated that the project is financially viable. Given the fact that the wind generation facility will be developed and operated on a merchant basis and will participate in the wholesale energy markets, the project was granted a lightened ratemaking regulatory regime like other, similar merchant generators.