Op-Ed: Powering New Jersey’s Future
By Robert Mazzuca, Sr. Engineering Manager – Defense Industrial Base
New Jersey imports nearly 40% of the electricity we use. That dependence leaves our families and businesses exposed to supply disruptions, rising costs, and grid instability. We can’t afford to wait for solutions, demand for electricity is expected to grow by 30% by 2035, driven by new AI data centers, manufacturing reshoring, and electrification. Offshore wind is one of the most practical tools we have to meet this challenge.
The Garden State’s 130-mile coastline has strong, steady winds and shallow waters that make it a natural hub for offshore wind development. Unlike solar or onshore wind, offshore wind delivers consistent output, rivaling fossil fuels in reliability. It also brings something ratepayers desperately need: price stability. Families and businesses don’t pay until projects are operational, and once online, they deliver steady prices for decades. If New Jersey’s planned 5,200 MW of offshore wind were already in place, this summer’s record-high PJM capacity prices would have been far lower, saving New Jerseyans millions.
The benefits go far beyond energy. Offshore wind development directly supports New Jersey’s economy and manufacturing base. It was estimated that the first three offshore wind projects alone would have delivered over $900 million into the hands of New Jersey Manufacturers. NJMEP’s own assessments show that more than 1,800 manufacturers here in New Jersey are ready, willing, and able to support this industry, producing everything from steel components to precision electronics. Offshore wind represents not only cleaner energy, but also a once-in-a-generation chance to strengthen local supply chains, create high-quality jobs, and anchor advanced manufacturing in the Garden State.
But offshore wind should not stand alone. To truly meet our state’s growing energy demands, New Jersey must also explore safe, clean nuclear energy through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Holtec, headquartered in Camden, is pioneering SMR technology that could put New Jersey at the forefront of next-generation nuclear innovation. SMRs are designed to be safer, more flexible, and more cost-effective than traditional nuclear plants. They can provide continuous, carbon-free baseload power that complements the variability of renewables.
Just as importantly, SMRs are poised to become the future of powering energy-intensive data centers. With demand for cloud computing and AI expected to skyrocket, states that can guarantee abundant, clean, and reliable electricity will dominate this growing industry. By leveraging offshore wind and pairing it with Holtec’s SMR technology, New Jersey has the chance not only to secure its own energy future but also to position itself as a national leader in the rapidly expanding data center market.
The public understands what’s at stake: 60% of New Jersey residents support offshore wind. This isn’t just about clean energy, it’s about economic stability, job creation, and keeping New Jersey competitive. By embracing offshore wind, and coupling it with advanced nuclear technologies like Holtec’s SMR’s, as part of a balanced energy strategy, we can protect ratepayers, power industry, and secure a stronger future for the Garden State. With bold leadership, New Jersey can become America’s clean energy hub, where offshore wind and SMRs together power both our homes and the data-driven economy of the future.