Agency names Woods Landing Energy Storage LLC conditional redeveloper for former power‑plant site

Dan Watson, a director at Jupiter Power, told the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency that the company’s proposal for the former JCP&L/Hercules powerplant site would be a modular battery energy storage system that charges during low‑demand periods and discharges at peak demand. "The project we’re proposing will be somewhere between 200 to 250 megawatts," Watson said during a technical presentation.

The presentation outlined the project’s basic footprint and key constraints: containerized battery units tied to a new project substation, the need to elevate the site in places (Watson said some areas likely must be raised more than 10 feet because the property sits below the state floodplain), and the company’s plan to test and design units to limit any thermal event to a single container. "Every unit that’s brought into the U.S. and installed in the U.S. now has to show that if you had a fire, if you purposely created a fire, it wouldn’t spread," the Jupiter representative said, describing safety testing and containment measures.

Commissioners and staff asked specific questions about grid interconnection, water and cooling needs, and first‑responder training. Agency staff and Watson said the site benefits from nearby transmission infrastructure and that water needs for cooling and treatment would be assessed as part of future engineering work. Watson said the firm has conducted first‑responder trainings elsewhere and expects to continue training local emergency services; he added that Jupiter Power can participate in equipment purchases if local fire officials request specialized gear.

After the presentation the agency considered a resolution (2026‑206) to designate Woods Landing Energy Storage LLC as the conditional redeveloper for block 174, lot 1.02 in the redevelopment area. The resolution instructs staff to continue technical, legal and planning reviews and to require further permits and public meetings before final approvals. The agency moved, seconded and approved the designation by roll call vote, with all present commissioners voting in favor.

What happens next: the designation is conditional. The developer must complete environmental remediation, site elevation work, engineering and planning approvals, and public information sessions before the planning board and council consider formal site and construction permits. The agency said it will host a community open house in late March to present details and gather public questions.

Why it matters: battery energy storage projects can provide grid reliability and peak‑energy capacity, but they also raise local technical questions about site preparation, water and power supply, emergency response and long‑term operations. The agency’s conditional designation allows further study while reserving the right to impose conditions in subsequent approvals.