New Jersey’s Big Nuclear Bet: Why Even New Reactors Won’t Close the State’s Energy Gap
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is making a major push toward nuclear power to address rising electricity demand and volatile energy markets. However, a recent analysis reveals that even if every reactor envisioned under the state’s newly enacted law is built, it will only cover about half of the state’s current power shortfall.
With increasing energy needs driven by regional growth and data centers, New Jersey faces a significant challenge in balancing grid reliability, consumer electricity bills, and in-state energy production.
How New Jersey’s Power Deficit Expanded
Since 2017, New Jersey has shut down six major power plants, stripping more than 2,500 megawatts (MW) of in-state generating capacity without immediate large-scale replacements:
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Hudson Generating Station (Jersey City) – 660 MW (Closed 2017)
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Mercer Generating Station (Hamilton) – 360 MW (Closed 2017)
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B.L. England (Beesley’s Point) – 450 MW (Closed 2019)
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Logan Generating – 219 MW (Closed 2022)
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Chambers Cogen – 244 MW (Closed 2022)
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Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (Lacey Township) – 652 MW (Closed 2018)
To meet consumer demand, the state has relied heavily on importing electricity from the PJM Interconnection regional grid. According to updated Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) figures and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data, New Jersey’s in-state energy generation gap reached nearly 16.8 million megawatt-hours in 2024—roughly 23% of retail electricity sales.
The Power NJ Act: What the Nuclear Target Delivers
Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the Power NJ Act, setting a target to add at least 1,100 MW of new nuclear generation capacity.
While 1,100 MW is roughly equivalent to the output of a standard large reactor, data analysis indicates that new reactors operating at 90% to 95% capacity would generate between 8.7 million and 9.2 million megawatt-hours annually.
That output covers approximately 52% to 55% of New Jersey’s current generation shortfall, leaving the state reliant on regional imports for nearly half of its energy deficit.
| Metric | Details / Figures |
| New Nuclear Target | 1,100 Megawatts (MW) |
| Projected Annual Output | 8.7M – 9.2M Megawatt-Hours (MWh) |
| 2024 State Generation Gap | ~16.8 Million MWh (23% of retail sales) |
| Shortfall Coverage | ~52% to 55% |
Waste Permitting Barriers and Timeline
The legislative effort follows earlier actions removing a 50-year state permitting barrier by allowing the DEP to consider federally compliant radioactive waste management solutions.
Key milestones under the Power NJ Act include:
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January 9, 2027: NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) begins soliciting expressions of interest from nuclear developers.
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July 2028: Target date for final state approvals.
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Future Phase: Federal licensing, environmental permits, financing, and multi-year construction.
Ratepayer Protection and Data Center Demand
A key point of debate surrounding the push for new nuclear infrastructure is financing. With large users and data centers projected to add substantial demand across the PJM grid, officials like the state Division of Rate Counsel have emphasized ratepayer protections.
The final text of the Power NJ Act bars customer charges during construction, guards against cost overruns, requires federal financing support, and mandates a net benefit to consumers.
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