The new cranes are meant to enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of the facility, a vital hydroelectric generation resource for New York’s energy system.
“These two new cranes are essential for the continued safe and efficient operation of the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, ensuring the plant can continue to provide up to 1 GW of reliable, clean energy from this facility to New Yorkers for many years to come,” said Justin E. Driscoll, NYPA president and CEO. “The current cranes are original to the project and have served the plant well since it began operation more than 65 years ago. The cranes have reached the end of their operating lives, and we are grateful to have found a nearby, highly qualified vendor with the capacity to build this unique machinery using American steel.”
Under the terms of the contract approved at the December 10 NYPA board meeting, the existing STL-90-ton crane will be upgraded to a 100-ton crane to accommodate reserve capacity, ice buildup, and dynamic forces when lifting intake gates. The existing STL-300-ton crane will be upgraded to a 350-ton crane to provide a greater margin for dynamic forces and future potential upgrades to the project’s generating units. The contract also includes rail replacement/ refurbishment, conductor bus bar system replacement, and power feeder replacements. The design and engineering work is scheduled to begin in Jan. 2025. The 100-ton crane is scheduled to be completed in mid-2028, and the 350-ton crane in 2030.
The large dam across the St. Lawrence River on Barnhart Island in Massena, NY, was NYPA’s first active power plant, opening in 1958. More than half a mile long, the dam and related structures are a cooperative project between the U.S. and Canada: each country operates half of the plant’s 32 turbines. NYPA’s 16 generating units produce 820,800 kilowatts of electricity.
NYPA recently announced economic development awards to 20 firms that will spur more than $940 million in capital investments and support 1,774 jobs, including statewide ReCharge NY power allocations, some of which come from the St. Lawrence-FDR project. ReCharge NY offers power contracts with terms of up to seven years. Half of the power 455 MW is from NYPA’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-FDR hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is lower-cost power bought by NYPA on the wholesale market.
Earlier this year, NYPA’s second annual integrated report detailed how it and its subsidiary the New York State Canal Corporation are charting a path to a clean energy future. The report assembles sustainability and financial information to provide a comprehensive view of 2023 performance and accomplishments.
NYPA achieved progress on a variety of major initiatives and projects in 2023. The power authority laid the groundwork to accelerate renewables development after “landmark legislation” from Governor Kathy Hochul. NYPA was granted enhanced authority to develop, own, and operate renewable energy generation and storage projects to help support the goals of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, maintain an adequate and reliable supply of electric power and energy, and support the REACH program to enable low-and-moderate-income customers to receive bill credits through the production of renewable energy by NYPA.
NYPA completed Central East Energy Connect, a 93-mile-long transmission line in the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region, and Smart Path, which upgraded 78 miles of transmission lines in the North Country. Additionally, the NYPA Board of Trustees authorized the issuance of $751 million in green transmission revenue bonds in 2023, directly supporting the Smart Path Connect project.
The power authority also made significant progress with Next Generation Niagara, a multi-year program to modernize the Niagara Power Project to ensure NYPA continues to deliver clean, low-cost hydropower in Western New York and support economic development. Other accomplishments include decarbonization projects with customers and an electric bus charging infrastructure project with the MTA at New York City depots that will help to reduce emissions.
