The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced that it has reached an agreement that will make the redeveloped World Trade Center the site of one of the largest fuel cell installations in the world. The agreement, valued at US $10.6 million, was reached with UTC Power for equipment purchases to provide heat and power for the new towers.

The fuel cells which have a combined 4.8 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity, will provide an on-site supplement to the renewable power and other clean energy the rebuilt World Trade Center will receive via power lines from off-site sources. The development, known as The Freedom Tower, is being developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“One of the most important building projects in the nation will be equipped with space-age energy technology that uses an electrochemical process to produce clean on-site power,” said New York State Governor David Paterson. “The fuel cells and other measures will help make the new World Trade Center towers an exemplar of environmental sustainability and will signal to the world New York State’s commitment to greater energy security and reduced dependence on foreign oil. I can think of few sites in the country where the symbolism of this is more important.”