How Rise Light and Power Is Transforming New York City’s Largest Power Plant Into a Renewable Energy Hub

Rise Light & Power is a New York-based energy asset manager and developer dedicated to modernizing regional energy infrastructure. The company’s primary focus is the transition of traditional fossil-fuel facilities into clean energy hubs that integrate offshore wind, battery storage, and advanced transmission technologies. As the owner and operator of the Ravenswood Generating Station in Long Island City, Queens—New York City’s largest power generation facility—Rise Light & Power plays a critical role in maintaining grid reliability while advancing the state’s ambitious climate mandates.

Formerly an affiliate of LS Power, Rise Light & Power represents a strategic shift in the energy sector, moving away from carbon-intensive generation toward a diversified portfolio of renewables. This transition is headlined by the "Renewable Ravenswood" initiative, a multi-stage plan to replace aging 1960s-era steam turbine units with zero-emission energy sources. By leveraging its strategic waterfront location and existing grid interconnections, the company aims to serve as the gateway for offshore wind power entering the metropolitan area's electrical system.

The Legacy of Ravenswood and Big Allis in New York City

To understand the impact of Rise Light & Power, one must first look at the history of its flagship asset. The Ravenswood Generating Station has been a cornerstone of New York City’s energy landscape since it began operations in 1963. Spanning 28 acres along the East River in Long Island City, it provides more than 2,050 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. At its peak, this facility is responsible for delivering more than 20% of the city’s electricity.

The most famous component of the site is "Big Allis," officially known as Ravenswood Unit 3. When it was commissioned, it was the world’s first million-kilowatt (1,000 MW) generator. For decades, Big Allis and the surrounding units have been the "last line of defense" for the city's grid. During major crises, such as the 1977 blackout, the 2003 Northeast blackout, and Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ravenswood remained operational, providing up to 50% of the city’s power during the peak of the storm to keep hospitals, transit systems, and homes running.

However, as the facility aged and New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), the role of Ravenswood had to change. The CLCPA mandates that 70% of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030 and that the state achieves a zero-emission grid by 2040. For Rise Light & Power, this meant that the status quo was no longer an option. The challenge was not just to retire the old units, but to do so without compromising the reliability of a city that consumes massive amounts of power in a concentrated area.

The Renewable Ravenswood Vision: A Blueprint for Decarbonization

The "Renewable Ravenswood" project is the centerpiece of Rise Light & Power’s strategy. It is recognized as the nation’s first proposal to systematically repower a major fossil-fuel plant with clean energy. The vision is built on three main pillars: retiring carbon-intensive equipment, repurposing the industrial site for clean energy infrastructure, and retraining the existing workforce.

Decommissioning Fossil Fuel Peakers

A critical first step in this journey was the retirement of more than 300 MW of outdated gas turbine "peaker" plants. Peaker plants are typically older, less efficient units that only run during periods of extreme demand, such as heatwaves. By removing these units, Rise Light & Power has already reduced local emissions and made physical space for new technologies, such as large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Integrating Offshore Wind

The most ambitious part of the Renewable Ravenswood plan involves using the site as a landing point for offshore wind energy. Because New York City is densely populated, there is limited space for large-scale solar or onshore wind farms. The Atlantic Ocean, however, offers vast wind resources. Rise Light & Power intends to utilize the existing electrical substations at Ravenswood to receive high-voltage power from the ocean, avoiding the need to dig up city streets to build new transmission lines.

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Renewable energy is inherently intermittent; the wind doesn't always blow, and the sun doesn't always shine. To ensure a steady flow of electricity, Rise Light & Power is developing large-scale battery storage on the Ravenswood site. These batteries will soak up excess renewable energy during periods of low demand and discharge it during peak times, effectively replacing the function of the old peaker plants with zero-emission technology.

The Queensboro Renewable Express and Transmission Innovations

One of the most significant technical hurdles in the clean energy transition is "interconnection"—the physical process of getting electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. Rise Light & Power addressed this through the Queensboro Renewable Express proposal.

The Queensboro Renewable Express is a mature offshore wind transmission project designed to bring up to 3.9 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy from the Atlantic Ocean directly into the heart of Queens. This project involves burying submarine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables beneath the seabed, traveling through the Verrazzano Narrows and up the East River to the Ravenswood site.

This approach offers several advantages:

1. Environmental Minimalist: By using subsea routes and landing at an existing industrial site, the project avoids disturbing public beaches or residential neighborhoods.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: Repurposing the existing interconnection points at Ravenswood saves billions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on upgrading the city’s aging electrical grid.
3. Efficiency: HVDC technology allows for the transport of large amounts of electricity over long distances with minimal energy loss compared to traditional alternating current (AC) lines.

Beyond the Queensboro project, Rise Light & Power also championed the Catskills Renewable Connector. This proposed 1,200 MW submarine and underground transmission line was designed to unlock wind and solar potential from Upstate New York, bringing it downstate to serve the massive demand of New York City. These projects collectively position Rise Light & Power as a leader in "transmission-first" energy solutions.

Expanding into New Jersey: The Werner Power Station Transformation

While Ravenswood is the crown jewel of the portfolio, Rise Light & Power has expanded its footprint into New Jersey by acquiring the former E.H. Werner Power Station in South Amboy. Much like the Ravenswood site, the Werner station was an aging facility—in this case, a coal-fired plant that had become a contaminated brownfield site.

Rise Light & Power is currently remediating the 26-acre site to transform it into a modern renewable energy hub. The goal is to create a "gateway" for offshore wind projects off the coast of New Jersey. By converting a site that once symbolized the era of coal into a point of interconnection for clean energy, the company is demonstrating that legacy industrial infrastructure can be reclaimed for the green economy. This project also avoids the controversial practice of burying high-voltage cables under public beaches, instead utilizing the industrial waterfront of South Amboy.

The Social Dimension: Just Transition and Environmental Justice

Rise Light & Power has distinguished itself by focusing heavily on the social impact of the energy transition. This is often referred to as a "Just Transition," ensuring that the move to green energy does not leave workers or local communities behind.

Labor and Workforce Retraining

The Ravenswood Generating Station employs over 100 people, most of whom are members of the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 1-2. These workers have decades of experience maintaining steam turbines and high-voltage equipment. Instead of laying off this workforce during the transition, Rise Light & Power has committed to comprehensive retraining programs. The goal is to equip these union members with the skills needed to operate offshore wind hubs and battery storage facilities, ensuring that the clean energy economy supports high-paying, middle-class jobs.

Addressing Environmental Justice

The communities surrounding the Ravenswood site, particularly in Long Island City and Astoria, have historically suffered from high rates of asthma and respiratory issues, partly due to the concentration of power plants in the area (often called "Asthma Alley"). By retiring fossil fuel units and committing to zero-emission infrastructure, Rise Light & Power is directly addressing these environmental inequities. The company frequently engages with local leaders and environmental justice advocates, such as the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, to ensure that the redevelopment of the site benefits the neighboring residents through cleaner air and local economic opportunities.

Corporate Evolution: The Acquisition by NRG Energy

The business trajectory of Rise Light & Power has been marked by significant institutional backing. After being rebranded from Ravenswood Generating in 2021 under LS Power’s ownership, the company continued to scale its development efforts. A pivotal moment in its corporate history occurred in 2026, when NRG Energy, one of North America’s largest energy providers, moved to acquire Rise Light & Power.

This acquisition signaled a major shift in the broader energy market. NRG Energy, traditionally known for its large portfolio of natural gas and retail electricity services, viewed Rise Light & Power as a premier platform for growth in the renewable sector. By integrating Rise’s development expertise and strategic New York assets, NRG is positioning itself to lead the decarbonization of the Eastern Seaboard. For Rise Light & Power, being part of the NRG family provides the capital and scale necessary to execute multi-billion dollar projects like the Queensboro Renewable Express.

The Role of Grid Reliability in a Green Future

One of the most persistent criticisms of the renewable transition is the potential for grid instability. Rise Light & Power has remained steadfast in its argument that the transition must be "reliable and resilient." This means that the retirement of fossil fuel units must be synchronized with the activation of new, reliable clean energy sources.

The company emphasizes that the Ravenswood site is uniquely suited for this balance. Because it is already a major node in the Con Edison electrical system, it can provide "voltage support" and other essential grid services that are difficult to replicate with distributed energy resources like rooftop solar. By keeping the site's massive electrical infrastructure intact while changing the "fuel" from gas to wind and batteries, Rise Light & Power ensures that New York City won't face blackouts as it pursues its green goals.

Strategic Impact on New York’s Energy Market

The influence of Rise Light & Power extends beyond its own physical assets. By proposing innovative transmission and storage solutions, the company has influenced how state regulators at NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) think about offshore wind solicitation.

The company’s model of "Renewable Repowering" has become a template for other aging power plants across the United States. It demonstrates that the path to a zero-emission future does not necessarily require abandoning the industrial past. Instead, it requires a creative reimagining of how those assets—the land, the cables, and the people—can be redirected toward a sustainable mission.

Conclusion: Lighting the Future of New York

Rise Light & Power has evolved from a traditional power generator into a visionary architect of the clean energy transition. Through the "Renewable Ravenswood" initiative and the transformation of the Werner Power Station, the company is proving that it is possible to modernize the grid while honoring the legacy of the workers who built it. By focusing on large-scale offshore wind integration, battery storage, and environmental justice, Rise Light & Power is not just helping New York meet its climate goals; it is setting a national standard for how the energy industry can adapt to the 21st century.

As the company integrates into the NRG Energy portfolio, its projects will likely serve as the backbone of the New York metropolitan area's electrical system for the next sixty years, just as "Big Allis" did for the sixty years prior. The transition from fossil fuels to renewables is a monumental task, but through strategic investment and community partnership, Rise Light & Power is lighting the way toward a cleaner, more resilient future.

Summary of Key Projects

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Renewable Ravenswood project?

Renewable Ravenswood is a comprehensive plan by Rise Light & Power to transition the Ravenswood Generating Station from a fossil-fuel-powered facility into a clean energy hub. This includes retiring old generators and replacing them with offshore wind interconnections and battery storage.

Who owns Rise Light & Power?

As of 2026, Rise Light & Power is a wholly-owned affiliate of NRG Energy. It was previously owned by LS Power, which rebranded the company from Ravenswood Generating in 2021.

Why is the Ravenswood site so important for New York's energy?

The site currently provides over 20% of New York City’s power capacity. Its location in Long Island City allows it to feed electricity directly into the city's high-demand areas, making it essential for preventing blackouts and maintaining grid stability.

What is "Big Allis"?

"Big Allis" is the nickname for Ravenswood Unit 3, a massive generator that was the first in the world to produce one million kilowatts of power. It has been a symbol of New York’s industrial power since 1963.

How does Rise Light & Power help the local community?

The company is focused on environmental justice, aiming to reduce air pollution in "Asthma Alley" by retiring fossil fuel plants. They also have a "Just Transition" plan to retrain union workers for new roles in the renewable energy sector.