New Jersey has launched a landmark energy storage initiative that aims to deliver 2GW of capacity by 2030 while cutting long-term electricity costs and strengthening grid reliability.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) approved Phase 1 of the Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP) on 18 June.
It follows two years of stakeholder engagement and builds on the 2018 Clean Energy Act’s mandate to deploy 2GW of storage by the end of the decade.
Phase 1 will fund up to 1000MW of grid-scale storage through a competitive solicitation process without raising rates for consumers, using the New Jersey Clean Energy Program budget.
“This is a pivotal moment for New Jersey’s energy landscape,” said NJBPU president Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
“The Garden State Energy Storage Program is part of our commitment to addressing the causes of rising electric rates, ultimately putting more money back into the pockets of New Jersey families.”
“This isn’t just about meeting our climate goals, it’s about making sure every family can afford to keep their lights on and their home comfortable,” she said.
Phase 1 will be split into two tranches.
Tranche 1 will award 350–750MW through a process opening 25 June, with final bids due 20 August and awards expected by 31 October 2025.
Tranche 2 is scheduled for the first half of 2026 to complete the 1000MW target.
Phase 2, set to launch in 2026, will support distributed energy storage on local grids, including front- and behind-the-meter systems, through fixed and performance-based incentives.
A third phase for performance incentives on transmission-scale systems is under evaluation.
The NJBPU said the programme will enhance grid resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and deliver economic benefits by creating jobs and improving public health.
It will also prioritise projects that serve overburdened communities and redevelop brownfield sites in line with the state’s equity and environmental justice goals.
“By strategically investing in energy storage now, we’re building a resilient system that can better withstand both man-made and weather-related disruptions,” said Guhl-Sadovy.