GEMS Ribbon Cutting Press Release 2022
Ribbon Cutting of the Gloucester Township GEMS Solar Park
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ May 23, 2022, 12:00 PM– In partnership with Syncarpha Capital and the Township’s Energy Consultant, Blue Sky Power, Gloucester Township will cut the ribbon on the 4.5 MW DC GEMS (the Gloucester Environmental Management Services) Solar Park located at the northwest corner of theintersection of Hickstown Road and New Brooklyn-Erial Road. The Solar Park is estimated to produce 6,086,000 kWh of clean zero emissions power per year and yield approximately $1,000,000 in lease revenue to the Township over the next 25 years. Construction started in November 2021; the solar system was energized on April 14, 2022 and was built utilizing local union electricians from IBEW 351.
The site is interconnected through Atlantic City Electric and will provide power to the PJM wholesales market.
“Understanding that our future heavily depends on everyone doing their part with sustainable efforts, Gloucester Township has been leading the way since the establishment of the Gloucester Township Energy Master Plan in 2010. With over 11,178,631 kWh produced annually between our 14 solar projects, we are proud to cut the ribbon today on our biggest project to-date that will total our overall output to a whopping 17,264,651 kWh per year!” said Mayor David R. Mayer.
“Fortitude, perseverance and the hard work of so many people at Gloucester Township, Syncarpha Capital and BlueSky Power made this day possible. Given the incredible environmental, regulatory, and technical issues to overcome, this project took years to bring to fruition. Thanks to Mayor Dave Mayer’s remarkable dedication and leadership, everyone stayed focused on knocking down roadblocks. This project adds to Gloucester Township’s clean energy portfolio, making it one of the most sustainable communities in America,” said Ben Parvey, CEO of Blue Sky Power.
“We are extremely excited to announce that our GEMS superfund solar project is operational after an extended 8- year development and construction process. We want to thank the Township of Gloucester who has been an awesome partner throughout the entire process as well as the staff at the BPU and Atlantic City Electric who provided support down the home stretch,” said Managing Partner of Syncarpha Capital, Cliff Chapman.
The clean energy produced at the GEMS Solar Park will annually offset 4,313 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide, which is the equivalent of emissions from 10,839,527 miles driven by a typical passenger vehicle, or 4,767,134 pounds of coal burned. The offset of carbon at GEMS each year equals the amount of carbon sequestered by 5,284 acres of U.S. Forest in one year.
Confirmed attendees: Congressman Donald Norcross, Former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio, Louis Cappelli, Jr., Director of Camden County Board of Commissioners, BPU President Joseph Fiordaliso, DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, and other state, county, and local officials.
MONDAY, May 23, 2022, 12:00 PM
800 HICKSTOWN ROAD
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ
For more information about the event, please call 856-374-3515 or rcaristo@glotwp.com
