New York Power Authority Names First VP to Head Renewable Project Development

Renewables Leader to Oversee NYPA’s Strategic Planning for Priority Clean Energy Projects

WHITE PLAINS—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has created a new senior leadership role to deliver upon its expanded authority to develop, own and operate renewable energy generating projects to assist the state in advancing its clean energy targets. The newly hired vice president of renewable project development will help lead the drafting of a 2025 strategic plan to identify NYPA actions and priorities for building more renewable resources and support decarbonizing New York State’s electric grid.

Vennela Yadhati was named NYPA’s first VP, Renewable Project Development, effective Oct. 9. She will lead a team under the direction of Phil Toia, President, NYPA Development, who is charged with helping NYPA achieve goals for large-scale renewables and utility-scale storage projects as well as expanding transmission systems to support this growth. 

“The Power Authority with its expanded authority will have a key role in identifying, developing and building renewable energy projects that will move the state forward to achieve its bold climate action goals,” said Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “Vennela brings leadership skills and a proven ability to execute renewable generation and energy storage projects. We are pleased to have Vennela lead our renewables team as we prioritize projects, alone or in partnership, that can help advance New York’s clean energy future and support the continued economic growth and competitiveness of New York State.”

NYPA’s expanded authority was added in legislation in New York State’s 2023-24 Enacted State Budget. The legislation enables NYPA to assist the state in meeting its clean energy targets, including a goal to produce 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. NYPA can build these resources —on its own and in collaboration with public and private partners—to accelerate the state’s decarbonization journey. 

Yadhati first joined the Power Authority in 2018 as a manager in Distributed Energy Resources, supporting and executing renewable project contracts and identifying new markets and business models to expand NYPA’s service offerings to better support the State’s and NYPA customers’ clean energy goals. She spent the past two years at Orsted, a Danish company that develops renewable energy facilities, where she was a senior manager of commercial strategy and business development. Yadhati now rejoins NYPA in her new role.   

Yadhati’s responsibilities at NYPA will involve leading the renewable project development team to successfully execute projects and develop business plans to advance new initiatives and strategies, according to Toia.  She will also manage related interconnection needs.

Yadhati joins the Authority as it moves forward with a conferral process, called for in the enacted legislation that grants the expanded authority. Through the conferral process, input is being gathered from state agencies and other key stakeholders—including climate and resiliency experts, labor organizations, and environmental justice and community group—regarding progress on the implementation of New York’s renewable energy goals as outlined in the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

The final conferral report, expected to be issued by the end of the year, will be made public and used by the Power Authority to inform the development of its first two-year strategic plan that will outline its strategies and proposed projects.

The expanded authority also includes authority for NYPA to fund and work with the State Department of Labor on workforce development programs that will serve as a pipeline and break down traditional barriers to entry into the utility industry.  The enactment also directs NYPA to develop a plan to phase-out electricity production from its small, natural gas-fired power plants by the end of 2030 and consider using the sites for renewable generation, energy storage, or electric grid support needs as appropriate.

The legislation also empowers NYPA, in partnership with the Public Service Commission (PSC), to support disadvantaged communities with a new Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH) program that will enable low-income and moderate-income electricity consumers to receive bill credits funded from revenues from the sale of renewable energy products.

Yadhati is a professional engineer who holds a master of science in electrical engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology and a bachelor of technology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad, India.  Yadhati lives in White Plains and serves as a board member for Sustainable Westchester and a Planning Board member for the City of White Plains, working to promote clean energy and sustainability.