Generation Overview
New York’s Own Resources Generate Nearly 25% of the State’s Power
Power generation is at the heart of NYPA’s mission—and the core of our business. NYPA is the largest state public power utility in the country. Thanks largely to NYPA’s three large-scale hydroelectric plants, New York State is able to produce a substantial portion of statewide power needs. And because more than 80% of that power is hydroelectric, it’s generated without fossil fuels and their related emissions. New York State generates more power from hydro than any state east of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, our clean generation sources and the fact that New Yorkers use less—and spend less on—electricity per capita than the citizens of any other state in the country make New York a national energy leader.
The Energy of New York
NYPA operates generating facilities throughout the state. More than 70 percent of the power we generate is clean hydropower.
How NYPA Hydroelectric Generation Works
St. Lawrence Sixteen of these turbines at St. Lawrence combine to produce 900,000 kW of power—enough to light the cities of Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse.
Long Sault Dam The Long Sault dam serves as a holding dam for the St. Lawrence Power Project.
Blenheim-Gilboa Full view of the pumped-storage system at Blenheim-Gilboa
Blenheim-Gilboa Water from the lower reservoir can be pumped back to the upper one. It's like recharging a giant battery.
Blenheim-Gilboa The intake and outflow system on the lower reservoir generates power when needed or it pumps water to the upper reservoir.
Blenheim Gilboa At this pumped-storage facility, the turbines generate electricity, then reverse and pump water to the upper reservoir.
Gregory B. Jarvis Plant This 9,000-kW facility at the Hinckley Reservoir is named for a local astronaut. It features two horizontal turbines.
Clark Energy Center serves as the nerve center of the NYPA power system.