Construction on New York’s largest onsite solar generating and storage system has begun at the John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. Undertaken by TotalEnergies, the project will generate 12 MW of onsite power. Additionally, 7.5 MW of battery storage will be built in an effort to alleviate airport energy demand during peak periods.
Location of the JFK onsite solar and storage system
The solar-battery energy storage system will be put up in one of JFK’s long-term parking lots. TotalEnergies is working together with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to see this project to completion. 6 MW, half of the energy generated, will be used to power the AirTrain rail link. This link connects JFK to the wider New York City area. The other half of the power is dedicated to serving historically disadvantaged households in the neighbouring communities of the airport.
“We are breaking ground on a game-changing solar project, which will give power to the AirTrain and support thousands of families in Queens. 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,” Gov. Hochul said.
Construction Timeline
Construction on the JFK onsite solar and storage system will be completed in phases stretching from 2025 to 2026. This project further underscores TotalEnergy’s commitment to decarbonization. The company recently accomplished a major milestone, reaching over 1.5 GW of renewable Power Purchase Agreements. Through this project, JFK will also be aligning with the Port Authority’s objective of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its facilities by 2050. When complete, the JFK solar carport will produce enough clean energy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6,000 tons annually. This is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 1,500 gasoline powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
“As a top developer of renewables in the U.S. and worldwide, TotalEnergies is honoured to support New York’s clean energy transition with this landmark solar carport and storage project at one of the nation’s largest airports. We applaud Governor Hochul, PANYNJ and NYPA for their leadership on this unique project. It will make clean power accessible to millions of travellers who pass through JFK Airport each year. Furthermore, it will reduce electricity costs for residents of low-income neighbourhoods in Queens,” said Marc-Antoine Pignon, Managing Director, TotalEnergies Renewables USA.
TotalEnergies’ clean energy efforts
Last month, TotalEnergies surpassed 1.5 GW in signed renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The agreements are with more than 600 industrial and commercial clients globally. These agreements are intended for both on-site self-consumption and grid injection. Out of this total capacity, 1.1 GW is already operational, It already generates 1.5 TWh of electricity annually. An additional 400 MW is slated for commissioning by the end of the year. Through the solarization of its clients’ facilities, TotalEnergies aims to strengthen the energy transition across diverse sectors. This includes agrifood, automotive, cement, digital, manufacturing, metals, mining, retail, and warehousing.
“Thanks to the trust and closeness we have established with our B2B customers, the dedication of our teams, and our Company’s commitment. We are proud to continue accelerating our growth in distributed generation worldwide. In an unstable market with high energy prices, we provide our customers not only decarbonized energy. We also provide visibility and operational excellence throughout the duration of the PPA”, said Vincent Stoquart, Senior Vice President Renewables at TotalEnergies.
At the end of 2023, TotalEnergies’ gross renewable electricity generation installed capacity was 22 GW. TotalEnergies will continue to expand this business to reach 35 GW in 2025. They will expand to more than 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030.
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New York’s Multibillion JFK Airport Expansion Project Progresses Towards Completion
