In this episode of Grid Talk, host Marty Rosenberg talks with Gil Quiniones who is the President and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The discussion focuses on NYPA’s investment in large scale renewable energy projects. It’s part of a ten-year plan called VISION2030 that includes significant investment in offshore wind.

“The manufacturing of components for offshore wind will happen there (Albany and Brooklyn), and we’re creating jobs and stimulating economic development in our state,” said Quiniones.

The plan also calls for increase transmission capacity with five projects breaking ground this year or early next year to add more than 250 miles of transmission.

“The governor also announced the buildout of major transmission systems specifically in Upstate New York to bring renewables from Upstate New York down to the load centers in southeast New York; New York City; the suburbs, Long Island, Westchester, etc.”

Mr. Quiniones also talks about the long-term planning to achieve 70% renewable by 2030, carbon-free electricity by 2040, and then net zero by 2050 while maintaining reliability and resiliency for the financial, communications, media capital of the world.

“I’m optimistic with American ingenuity and its ability to innovate and I think that we will do that.”

Gil Quiniones has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of (NYPA), the nation's largest state-owned electric utility, since 2011. He is responsible for developing and implementing the statewide utility's strategic vision and mission and for supervising its operations, legal and financial matters, and relationships with external stakeholders.

Before joining NYPA in 2007 as Executive Vice President of Energy Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Quiniones served in several positions in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, including more than four years as Senior Vice President of Energy and Telecommunications. He previously worked for Con Edison for 16 years and was one of four co-founders of Con Edison Solutions, the utility's unregulated energy services company.