A critical discussion about New Jersey's energy future took center stage at the Sweeney Center for Public Policy at Rowan University on Wednesday, marking the center's fourth major conference dedicated to the state's energy supply and demand.
New Jersey is grappling with a rapidly escalating energy demand, driven by both population growth and the rise of energy-intensive sectors.
"AI, across the country and across the globe, is going to be an energy monster," cautioned Tim Sullivan, president and CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, stressing the mounting pressure on the state's electrical grid.
Asim Haque, senior vice president at PJM Interconnection, New Jersey’s grid operator, noted, "It’s also being driven by the proliferation of electric vehicles, the electrification of homes and the on-shoring of manufacturing here in the United States."
With offshore wind development effectively stalled due to past executive orders, the state is actively seeking alternative energy solutions. This conference served as a forum for diverse perspectives.
One potential solution highlighted was nuclear energy. "The technologies have changed. The innovations have changed. It’s not the nuclear of your grandpa’s age," asserted Richard Henning, president and CEO of the New Jersey Utilities Association, advocating for a modern approach to nuclear power.
Solar energy also emerged as a key focus. "We already have a footprint of five gigawatts of solar in-state. We ought to be thinking about how do we leverage that footprint," proposed Lawrence Barth, director of corporate strategy for NJR Clean Energy Ventures.
He further emphasized the advancements in solar technology, stating, "Now we’ve got panels that produce two to three times that amount than when they were originally installed, at lower costs."
