National Grid, Con Edison team up on New Jersey wind transmission project

National Grid Ventures (NGV) and Con Edison Transmission are looking to build transmission infrastructure to bring offshore wind power to New Jersey’s electric grid.

The project is called the Garden State Energy Path, which would deliver approximately 6 gigawatts of offshore wind power from the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center to the Larrabee Tri-Collector Station in Howell Township. It will be carrying energy from four wind projects. The infrastructure will all be underground, allowing the cables to be protected from storms and other extreme weather that can cause outages.

The project will help the state reach its goal of having 11 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind by 2040.

“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, US 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 project, which incorporates stakeholder feedback, will bypass known environmentally sensitive areas wherever feasible and support local pedestrian and vehicle access during construction. Further, the majority of construction will be conducted during off-peak seasons, minimizing shore disruptions.

“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.