Governor Hochul Announces the Groundbreaking of Plug Power’s $55 Million Manufacturing Facility in Albany County

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the groundbreaking for Plug Power’s newest manufacturing facility, located at the Vista Technology Campus in Slingerlands, Albany County. The company has committed to creating 1,633 new jobs at its latest Capital Region location, complementing New York State's push toward clean, renewable and sustainable energy. The new location supports the company's efforts to significantly expand its line of GenDrive fuel cell systems, which are used to power electric motors in the electric mobility market.

“My administration is committed to the aggressive pursuit of economic development opportunities that align with our nation-leading clean energy goals,” Governor Hochul said. “Our transition to clean energy won’t just help us respond to climate change and lower utility costs, it will supercharge our economic recovery and create good jobs. We are grateful to have Plug Power as a partner in our mission to become the nation’s hub for green energy development.”

This $55 million investment to construct, outfit and equip Plug Power’s new 350,000 square foot plant will be used for expanding production, warehousing and servicing, of the GenDrive line, which offers drop-in fuel cell solutions for existing electric truck fleets. Additionally, the company has committed to creating 1,633 new jobs, and retaining another 701 jobs in Albany County, to support its new green energy production needs. Empire State Development (ESD) has agreed to provide up to $45 million in performance-based Green Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits to encourage the creation and retention of green jobs. In addition, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees will review a power allocation award from NYPA’s low-cost ReCharge NY power program at its public meeting later this month.

CEO of Plug Power Andy Marsh said, “Plug Power is proud to further expand its green hydrogen network with our new manufacturing plant located in New York State’s Albany County, where we were founded 25 years ago. We are grateful that our home state of New York is leading the way on clean, renewable and sustainable energy initiatives, and that Plug Power’s green hydrogen solutions can play such an important role in the state’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy. I’d like to thank our elected officials and partners, including Governor Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Congressman Paul Tonko, Empire State Development, NYPA and Albany County, for their support in helping us grow our presence in New York and create more than 1,600 new green jobs at our latest Capital Region location.”

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "New York State is committed to a renewable future and green energy is vital to that goal. We are proud of Plug Power’s expansion and commitment to not only creating top-quality green jobs across the state, but their continued commitment to the Empire State as we continue to foster a green economy and build a better New York State for future generations.”

New York Power Authority Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll, said, "Plug Power is continuing to drive the advancement of green hydrogen technology at its locations throughout the state as New York leads the path forward to achieve a clean energy economy. Plug Power’s decision to expand further in Albany County — creating more than 1,600 jobs — is a significant economic boost to the region and a win for the State in advancing its bold climate action goals.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Plug Power’s latest strategic expansion demonstrates their continued leadership and commitment to developing technologies critical to the clean energy transition and addressing climate change. The innovative fuel cell systems that will be manufactured in the Capital Region support the State’s efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector and advance Governor Hochul’s nation-leading goal to reduce emissions 85 percent by mid-century.”

Plug Power recently opened its $125 million hydrogen fuel cell innovation center in Monroe County that will create 380 jobs, and has also begun construction on a $290 million, state-of-the-art, green hydrogen fuel production facility and electricity substation at the Western New York Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in Genesee County. The company, the first tenant at the manufacturing park, is also funding the construction of a 450-megawatt electricity substation on site that will support its hydrogen projection facility and future growth opportunities at STAMP. In 2019, Plug Power announced plans to expand its presence in New York State, investing $3.7 million to establish a Membrane Electrode Assemblies facility in Rochester's Eastman Business Park, creating more than 80 new jobs.

This latest investment from Plug Power complements Governor Hochul's recognition of green hydrogen’s importance to New York State’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy. In her 2022 State of the State, Governor Hochul announced that the State will undertake several direct actions to support development of green hydrogen and invest in communities, including pursuing federal funding to create a green hydrogen hub and combining production and consumption focused activities into a single vision for decarbonization. Additionally, the Department of Public Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency will develop a green hydrogen regulatory framework to measure emissions reduction and health benefits and will evaluate and develop codes and standards to ensure the safe operation of green hydrogen initiatives.

Founded in 1997 in Albany County, Plug Power created the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology, and as a result, has deployed over 38,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility – more than any company in the world – and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen, having built and operated a hydrogen highway across North America. Plug Power announced a partnership earlier this year with SK Group, one of the leading South Korean business groups, to accelerate hydrogen as an alternative energy source in Asian markets. Through this partnership, both companies intend to provide hydrogen fuel cell systems, hydrogen fueling stations, and electrolyzers to the Korean and broader Asian markets. Plug Power is also partnering with Europe's second-largest automaker Renault Group of France to produce fuel cell-powered commercial trucks.

New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act), New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality, including a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040 with 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp-up clean energy, including more than $21 billion in 91 large-scale renewable projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and more than $1.2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments.

Combined, these investments supported more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2019, a 2,100% growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011 and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050. The Climate Act will also ensure that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities while making progress toward the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.

Senator Charles Schumer said, “Four years ago Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh told me that if his fuel cells were included in the federal Investment Tax Credit, the company would grow rapidly. He is a man of his word. Spurred on by the ITC, Plug Power continues to grow by leaps and bounds, with thousands of new jobs already and more on the horizon. I commend the company, New York State and Albany County for recognizing that Plug Power’s future should be right here in the Capital Region, where they started and have grown into a true economic power generator. I can’t wait to see this new building full of employees.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Plug Power is a pioneer in cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology and partnerships like this one are key to ensuring that New York remains a leader in green technology. This investment will create or retain over 2,300 jobs in Albany County and promote American energy independence at a critical time. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and Plug Power to find clean energy solutions for New York and beyond.”

Representative Paul Tonko said, “I have seen firsthand, through my many years of working with Plug Power, that there is much to be gained by investing in cutting-edge clean energy technologies, from creating new jobs, to securing America’s global competitiveness, to moving toward decarbonization. Our Capital Region is a hub of innovation and — with strong investments including those detailed in this announcement — we have the capability of leading the nation in developing the clean manufacturing of the future. I thank Plug Power for their bold investment in our region and Governor Hochul for her leadership driving clean energy and climate action across New York State.”

State Senator Neil Breslin said, "The groundbreaking of Plug Power’s manufacturing facility in Albany County is a tremendous win for the Capital Region, with thousands of permanent jobs planned. The ‘green hydrogen’ business will help the state move forward and to reach it’s renewable and sustainable energy goals.”

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “New York’s Capital Region is again leading the way when it comes to building the green economy of the 21st Century. Through an impressive array of public-private partnerships to support and further Plug Power’s creation of over 1,600 new green jobs at its new fuel cell manufacturing site, Plug Power is exemplifying what the future of manufacturing and a green economy means for New York’s economy more broadly. As we seek to transition off of our largely fossil fuel-powered infrastructure, companies like Plug Power will play a key role in driving that transition. I commend Plug Power for investing where it began right here in the Capital Region and look forward to supporting their work and growth in the years to come.”

Assemblymember John T. McDonald, III said, "I am thrilled to see that Plug Power’s newest manufacturing facility is breaking ground today in Albany County. This new project is a big win for our local economy and our environment. Not only will it bring over 1,000 new jobs to the Capital Region but this cutting-edge technology will help lead the way to a carbon-free future."

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Plug Power had the opportunity and the offers to expand in a number of other states; however, thanks to our efforts at the county and those of Governor Hochul, this leader in the hydrogen fuel industry is coming to Vista Tech Park. This is one of the most transformational investments in Albany County that will lead to over 1,600 well-paying jobs with a payroll of over $300 million by 2026. This groundbreaking builds on the historic offshore wind projects at the Ports of Albany and Coeymans that are making the Capital Region an internationally recognized hub for clean energy manufacturing.”

Bethlehem Town Supervisor David VanLuven said, "The future is green, and the green future is right here in Bethlehem. Our planning and engineering teams worked closely with the Town of New Scotland, Albany County, and Plug Power's representatives to move the project quickly and efficiently from concept to construction. The project is a testament to Bethlehem's business friendly approach and commitment to clean energy, and we expect it to be just the beginning of more green businesses to come.”

New Scotland Town Supervisor Douglas LaGrange said, “The Town of New Scotland is both excited and proud to help facilitate this exciting new project by Plug Power. Our partnership with New York State, Albany County, Plug Power and, especially, the Town of Bethlehem has been incredible. Together we have shown how multi levels of government, working side by side with the private sector, can do all that is necessary to bring jobs, new revenue and a clean environment for today and into the future.”

For additional information about Plug Power, visit https://www.plugpower.com/.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Using loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

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