A proposal to build transmission infrastructure that would carry offshore wind power to New Jersey’s electric grid was submitted this week by National Grid Ventures and Con Edison Transmission.
The proposal incorporates stakeholder feedback into the project’s design, resulting in a solution that would bypass known environmentally sensitive areas wherever feasible and support local pedestrian and vehicle access during construction.
Known as the Garden State Energy Path, the underground project would enable delivery of approximately 6 gigawatts of offshore wind power from its point of landfall at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center to the Larrabee Tri-Collector Station in Howell Township.
This project is foundational to helping New Jersey reach its goal of 11 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040.
The project consists of “pre-build infrastructure” that would house the cables carrying electricity generated by four wind projects to the grid. The structure allows the cables to be protected from storms and other extreme weather that can cause customer outages.
“New Jersey communities can rely on the Garden State Energy Path to provide a route that reduces community disruption and maximizes benefits. With our partners at Con Edison Transmission, we designed a cost-effective project that has the flexibility to support the latest grid technologies,” Will Hazelip, president of National Grid Ventures, U.S. Northeast, said. “Pre-build infrastructure is a smart and coordinated approach to transmission for offshore wind, reducing the need to separately construct transmission infrastructure for each offshore wind project.”
“The Garden State Energy Path will enable the grid to accommodate new sources of renewable energy and handle increased demand as customers transition away from fossil fuels,” Stuart Nachmias, president of Con Edison Transmission, said. “This project uses the most efficient design to be ready to carry clean, renewable wind power for New Jersey homes and businesses. We worked with National Grid Ventures to propose a clean energy project that provides the reliability customers need at the best cost possible and with reduced impact on local communities.”
If awarded, the Garden State Energy Path would be in operation by early 2029, ready for use by selected New Jersey offshore wind farms.