LS Power subsidiary Rise Light & Power has unveiled plans for a new renewable energy hub to deliver New Jersey’s offshore wind resource to the US state’s grid in an environmentally-responsible, efficient and affordable way.
Rise is proposing to build the Outerbridge renewable connector at the site of the former EH Werner coal-fired power station in South Amboy, New Jersey.
It plans to redevelop the site as a renewable energy hub serving as a central interconnection point for offshore wind farms to deliver clean energy to the New Jersey electric grid.
Rise has today submitted plans to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and PJM Interconnection for the Outerbridge connector.
The company said its proposal would enable offshore wind farms to avoid bringing high voltage power cables ashore at New Jersey’s beaches or other sensitive areas.
The 11-hectare industrially-zoned site, which was retired as a power plant in 2015, is located on Raritan Bay and features an existing substation and switchyard, rail and highway access, a pier with expansion potential and unobstructed access to the Atlantic Ocean.
“Once offshore wind energy is delivered to the new clean energy hub at South Amboy, Outerbridge would function as a giant extension cord, delivering clean energy to the local power grid through upgraded grid infrastructure on the site and to the Deans substation through buried cables along an existing railroad right of way,” Rise said.
Power cables would be underground, while a proposed battery energy-storage system offers the opportunity for further reliability to the grid, the company said.
“Outerbridge would generate power for up to 1.4 million homes and create over $1bn in economic value to New Jersey, including nearly $88m in tax revenue for state and local governments,” it added.
Rise Light & Power chief executive Clint Plummer said: “Rise Light & Power is committed to helping New Jersey achieve its ambitious clean energy goals.
“The state’s bold vision calls for a responsible, affordable solution to delivering offshore wind energy to the state electric grid.
“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 neighbourhoods and recreational beaches.”