New Jersey's Power Play: A $200M Battery to Fortify the Grid

RIDGEFIELD, NJ – March 16, 2026 – New Jersey is turning to massive batteries to secure its energy future, with state regulators giving the green light to a pivotal project in Bergen County. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has selected Elevate Renewables' Garden State Reliability Project, a $200 million battery storage facility, to help fortify the state's strained electrical grid, combat rising power costs, and address looming energy shortages.

The project, a 150-megawatt / 600-megawatt hour battery system, will be constructed at the site of the existing Bergen Generating Station in Ridgefield. Once operational, it will be capable of powering over 100,000 homes, serving as a critical buffer that can absorb power when plentiful and dispatch it during times of peak demand.

This move comes as New Jersey confronts a dual challenge: soaring electricity demand fueled by economic growth and electrification, and the retirement of older power plants. The selection marks a significant step in the state's strategy to deploy advanced energy solutions to ensure the lights stay on and costs remain manageable for residents and businesses.

A Strategic Response to a Strained Grid

New Jersey's power grid, part of the larger PJM Interconnection that serves 13 states, has been under increasing pressure. Capacity prices in PJM's wholesale market have surged in recent auctions as the gap between available power supply and rising demand widens. This directly impacts utility bills across the state. The BPU's own analysis predicts a staggering 66% increase in electricity demand by 2050, driven by the adoption of electric vehicles and the electrification of buildings.

Battery storage offers a fast and flexible solution. Unlike traditional power plants, which can take years to build, large-scale battery projects can be deployed rapidly to address near-term reliability risks. They operate by charging from the grid when electricity demand and prices are low, then selling that power back to the grid when demand peaks, helping to smooth out price spikes and reduce strain.

"The Garden State Reliability Project will deliver critical grid infrastructure for New Jersey at a time when the state urgently needs additional power supply," said Joshua Rogol, Chief Executive Officer of Elevate. "Energy storage is one of the fastest and most effective ways to strengthen the grid and help stabilize electricity prices for customers."

The BPU's analysis concluded that the program under which this project was selected would improve affordability for ratepayers. By injecting new, flexible capacity into the system, the Garden State Reliability Project is expected to exert downward pressure on wholesale electricity rates, generating what one BPU analysis estimated could be over $169 million in ratepayer savings over the program's life.

Powering the Future on Yesterday's Footprint

A key feature of the project is its location. Instead of seeking undeveloped land, Elevate will build the battery facility on the grounds of the 1.2-gigawatt Bergen Generating Station, a natural gas power plant that has been an industrial fixture in the region for decades. This strategy of co-locating new technology on existing energy sites is being hailed by officials as a blueprint for responsible development.

This approach avoids the environmental and community impacts of building on "greenfield" sites, utilizes existing grid connections and infrastructure, and presents an opportunity to revitalize and remediate portions of an active industrial property. The project is expected to create approximately 50 union construction jobs at its peak and expand the local tax base.

"As New Jersey works to modernize its energy system, we need practical solutions that improve reliability and affordability while managing rising electricity demand," said Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, Chairman of the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee. "It's also encouraging to see this project be developed at an existing power plant site, which allows us to expand critical infrastructure without using undeveloped land."

Local leaders echoed this sentiment, viewing the $200 million private investment as a win for the regional economy.

"The Garden State Reliability Project is exactly the kind of investment Bergen County welcomes—bringing good union jobs, strengthening our local energy infrastructure, and utilizing an existing industrial site for continued productive use," stated Bergen County Executive James Tedesco.

New Jersey's Ambitious Energy Storage Blueprint

The Ridgefield project is a flagship award under the state's Garden State Energy Storage Program (GSESP). Launched in 2025, the GSESP is the BPU's primary vehicle for achieving a legislative mandate to deploy 2,000 MW of energy storage by 2030. This target is a cornerstone of New Jersey's ambitious Energy Master Plan, which aims for a 100% clean energy electricity supply by 2035.

The program was developed after a two-year stakeholder process and is being rolled out in phases. This first tranche of awards, totaling 355 MW, focuses on large, transmission-connected projects designed to provide maximum grid-wide benefit. Future phases are expected to target smaller, distribution-level projects that can enhance resilience in local communities.

State legislative leaders have championed energy storage as a non-negotiable component of a modern, clean grid.

"Energy storage is essential to strengthening New Jersey's electric grid as electricity demand continues to grow," said Senator Bob Smith, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. "Projects like the Garden State Reliability Project help ensure we have reliable and affordable power when it's needed most. I'm pleased to see investment in infrastructure that improves grid reliability, supports ratepayers, and makes best use of an existing industrial site."

A Regional Leader in Grid Modernization

The project solidifies the role of Elevate Renewables, a portfolio company of infrastructure investor ArcLight Capital Partners, as a key player in the modernization of the PJM grid. The company's strategy focuses on deploying battery assets at strategic locations to alleviate grid congestion and support increasing electrification. Elevate often works in partnership with Alpha Generation, which manages the Bergen Generating Station, to repurpose existing energy sites.

This New Jersey project is not an isolated effort. Earlier this year, Elevate acquired Prospect Power Storage, a 150 MW / 600 MWh battery project under construction in Virginia. Located near the power-hungry "Data Center Alley," it is set to be the largest standalone battery asset in the PJM Interconnection when it comes online in mid-2026.

Together, these projects illustrate a broader, region-wide race to build a more resilient and flexible energy infrastructure. As electricity becomes the primary fuel for transportation, homes, and industry, the ability to store and strategically deploy that power is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental requirement for economic stability and growth.