The Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant will be undergoing major life extension modernization renovations as part of a 15-year plan designed to extend the operating life of Niagara Power Project.
The New York Power Authority is investing $1.1 billion in the project, as part of its long-term strategy to transition the state 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2040. This will be the largest capital project in NYPA’s history.
The improvements will include replacing aging equipment with the latest machinery reflecting advanced digital technologies for optimizing the hydroelectric project’s performance.
The initiative will encompass four major phases that will ensure continued safe, reliable operation for decades to come and will modernize NYPA’s flagship plant as the Power Authority advances its goal to become the nation’s first end-to-end digital utility. The four phases include a comprehensive inspection of the Robert Moses plant’s penstocks; refurbishing the 630-ton crane that enables mechanical work at the plant; upgrading and digitizing the control systems; and building a new back-up control room and replacing mechanical parts that have reached the end of their operating life. Work is set to begin later this year.
“The Niagara Power Project is New York’s largest source of clean electricity and this modernization project will allow it to continue operating for another 50 years,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo, who announced the funding.
“This extraordinary investment is a crucial part of our nation-leading plan to decarbonize New York’s electric power system by 2040 and will continue supplying job-producing companies across the state with clean, low-cost energy.”
NYPA’s Board of Trustees approved the major capital investment in the Niagara project, which began operating in 1961, at its July 30 meeting. The $1.1 billion investment makes Next Generation Niagara the largest capital project in NYPA’s history.
