JCP&L proposes plan to connect offshore wind to the power grid in New Jersey
Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) is developing a plan to connect clean energy generated by New Jersey’s offshore wind farms to the power grid.
In a proposal filed with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and PJM Interconnection, JCP&L outlined a program that would connect enough offshore wind energy to power nearly 2.5 million homes. The power from offshore wind farms would be delivered to JCP&L’s electric grid from new offshore transmission infrastructure built by Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development. JCP&L would then carry the electricity to existing substations, where it will enter the grid.
The proposal, made in cooperation with Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development, offers an open access solution that is scalable to meet the growing demands of the New Jersey offshore wind market. If accepted, FirstEnergy, the parent company of JCP&L, has the option to acquire an equity stake in Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development.
“The state of New Jersey is committed to being the nation’s leader in clean energy, and we are committed to playing an important role in that, for the benefit of our customers and the residents of the Garden State,” James V. Fakult, president of JCP&L, said. “By utilizing existing transmission infrastructure and rights-of-way, our plan offers a cost-effective solution that minimizes environmental and customer impacts, enhances grid resilience and was developed with the communities we serve in mind.”
JCP&L would use 100 percent existing infrastructure or rights-of-way for the transmission lines, resulting in no greenfield development. In addition, existing transmission lines and substations would be upgraded, enhancing reliability. JCP&L will implement this plan over a period of eight years to align with the planned schedule for offshore wind procurements.
Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US and EDF Renewables North America. The Joint Venture transmission company was formed to respond to the PJM New Jersey Transmission RFP to meet New Jersey’s goal of facilitating delivery of 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in New Jersey.
