Atlantic Power Transmission proposes offshore wind transmission project

Princeton-based Atlantic Power Transmission said Wednesday that it bid to develop a clean power transmission solution by delivering clean offshore wind power to over 1.5 million New Jersey families, enabled by an underground clean energy corridor connecting to an existing substation in central New Jersey.

APT submitted a bid to develop a clean power transmission solution in response to the 2021 New Jersey Offshore Wind SAA Transmission Solicitation initiated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. It plans to offer a total offshore wind transmission solution of up to 3,600 megawatts and is expected to provide over $1.3 billion in economic value to the New Jersey economy.

APT, which is a Blackstone portfolio company, has prioritized union labor and has partnered with the New Jersey union coalition, including Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 825 and 25 and Iron Workers Local 399.

Commenting on the announcement, the global head of infrastructure at Blackstone, Sean Klimczak, said: “We are excited to support New Jersey’s offshore wind efforts and are proud to partner with the New Jersey union coalition. Blackstone Infrastructure has a proven track record and commitment to long-term partnerships, and we look forward to continuing with this transformative and innovative clean energy development project.”

Lalevee

“We applaud Atlantic Power Transmission’s commitment to the Operating Engineers as they embark on the monumental task of bringing homegrown renewable energy to our electrical grid,” Greg Lalevee, business manager of IUOE 825, said in a prepared statement. “Our union is proud to be part of building a clean energy future in the state of New Jersey.”

The entire route of the project would utilize underground electric transmission lines to minimize its social and environmental impacts. The project enters onshore at an existing industrial site and aims to avoid disrupting New Jersey’s beachfront communities.

In November 2021, Blackstone portfolio companies Altus Power, a leading clean electrification company, and Link Logistics, operator of the largest portfolio of strategic last mile locations in the U.S., were awarded approximately 35 MW of community solar projects in New Jersey. Together, Altus and Link will build and operate a portfolio of rooftop community solar projects to serve approximately 10,000 residential customers throughout New Jersey with renewable energy.