• With installed capacity of 122 megawatts, Baron Winds 1 is capable of powering up to 50,000 homes annually
  
• RWE’s third onshore wind farm in New York adds to the 160 megawatts the company is already operating in the State

RWE, a leading renewable energy company, commemorates that Baron Winds 1, a wind farm in Steuben County in New York State, is fully operational and connected to the New York grid. Baron Winds 1 was celebrated at a dedication ceremony earlier today alongside approximately 100 representatives from RWE and its partners, government officials and the local community.

Baron Winds 1 has 32 wind turbines made up of 24 Vestas and eight Siemens Gamesa turbines providing 122 MW of capacity,  capable of supplying green electricity equivalent to the annual demand of 50,000 US homes.

“RWE is committed to providing clean energy infrastructure to New York to help the state meet its climate goal of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030,” said Mark Noyes, CEO of RWE Clean Energy. “With Baron Winds 1 and the recent provisional offtake award of 1.3 GW for new offshore wind capacity, we’re providing clean energy jobs, grid stability and tax revenue to the Empire State for years to come.”

Construction began on the project in May of 2021 and provided more than 300 jobs in the local community during its construction. It achieved commercial operation in December 2022 and now employs 12 full-time employees. Throughout the life of the project, it will provide $24 million to local schools, first responders, and other public needs in Steuben County. It also provides millions in landowner payments. Baron Winds 1 has made Steuben County the largest onshore generator of wind energy in New York State.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided support through an award as part of its Renewable Energy Standard Solicitation for the purchase of New York Tier-1 Eligible Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Through this support, Baron Winds 1 is now providing eligible renewable generation to support New York’s climate goal.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Baron Winds is a testament to the incredible progress we can make together in New York State in pursuit of a zero-emissions grid. Through NYSERDA’s partnership with RWE, Baron Winds will ensure residents across Steuben County and the Southern Tier realize the benefits of renewable energy for decades to come.

RWE is one of the world’s largest owners of renewable energy projects. With nearly eight GW of utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, and onshore wind in the United States, RWE is an established, trusted, industry-leading renewable energy company. The company is also the second largest offshore wind developer in the U.S. with a development pipeline of 6 GW (pro rata) including a 1.3 GW provisional offtake award last week from NYSERDA. RWE is planning to invest more than 15 billion euros (equivalent to $15.9 billion US) in the United States by 2030 and will continue to help drive New York’s clean energy economy. The construction of Baron Winds 2 is targeted to begin in the spring of 2024.