The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board has approved $79 million in grant awards for ten large-scale decarbonization and energy efficiency projects. The funding, sourced from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), will support a wide array of clean energy initiatives across nine communities, aiming to lower energy costs, expand grid capacity, and eliminate over 845,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
The approved projects include a combined 20.3 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity and 86.9 MW of battery storage. These investments are projected to support $238 million in economic activity while reducing annual electricity usage by 30.7 million kilowatts (kW), providing significant relief to the state’s electric grid.
“Projects supported by the RETROFIT NJ Program will provide meaningful cost relief to residents and business owners, broaden energy capacity, and increase the reliability of the state’s electric grid,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss said.
The awards focus on projects that incorporate at least three clean energy components—such as solar, energy storage, heat pump electrification, or thermal energy networks. Highlights from the ten recipients include:
- Bell Works (Holmdel): $10 million for a 12.99 MW solar system and energy efficiency upgrades.
- Camden County Vo-Tech School (Sicklerville): $10 million for a 2.1 MW solar system and EV charging infrastructure.
- Rutgers, The State University of NJ (New Brunswick): $8 million to develop a thermal energy network connecting approximately 124 campus buildings.
- X-L Plastics (Clifton): $10 million for a 47 MW energy storage system and high-efficiency electric heat pumps.
- Resorts Casino Hotel (Atlantic City): $8.8 million for a 2.1 MW solar system and 16 MW energy storage system.
Notably, $54 million of the total funding has been directed toward projects located within the state’s “Overburdened Communities,” ensuring that the benefits of clean energy investments reach those in the greatest need.
This $79 million commitment is part of a broader push by the NJEDA to incentivize sustainability across the state. In 2026 alone, the Authority has facilitated over $180 million in clean energy investments. This includes the “NJ Cool” program for smaller projects, the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, and the New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive (ZIP) Program.
The NJEDA continues to leverage these programs to meet New Jersey’s climate goals while fostering long-term economic development. For more information on these initiatives, visit www.njeda.gov/clean-energy/.
