Rise Light & Power, a subsidiary of US power infrastructure developer LS Power, plans to redevelop a former coal-fired power station in New Jersey as a renewable energy hub serving as a central point for connecting offshore wind farms to the state’s grid.
Rise has recently completed the acquisition of the site of the retired E H Werner Power Station on Raritan Bay in South Amboy, New Jersey and is proposing to build the Outerbridge Renewable Connector there.
The company said it has today submitted the plan to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and PJM Interconnection, following months of consultations with numerous stakeholders, including policymakers and offshore wind developers.
"Outerbridge solves the challenge of finding appropriate and acceptable cable landing sites by using existing infrastructure that avoids siting transmission lines in sensitive areas like residential neighborhoods and recreational beaches," said Rise chief executive Clint Plummer.
The waterfront site of the former coal plant has an existing substation and switchyard, rail and highway access, as well as a pier with potential for expansion. The plans include adding a battery energy storage system.
Outerbridge would provide power for up to 1.4 million homes, Rise says. The project is also expected to deliver more than USD 1 billion (EUR 850m) in economic value to New Jersey.
New Jersey has an offshore wind target of 7.5 GW by 2035.
In June, the state’s second offshore wind solicitation awarded 2,658 MW of offshore wind capacity to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, equally owned by EDF Renewables North America and Shell New Energies US, and Ørsted A/S.
Recently, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the New Jersey Wind Port, the US’ first purpose-built offshore wind port.
(USD 1 = EUR 0.850)
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