Power Plant Upgrades Planned At ON3 Complex In Nutley, Clifton

NUTLEY, NJ — Upgrades at a power plant on the ON3 campus in North Jersey will continue thanks to “substantial financial backing” from PSE&G, developers say.

Earlier this week, Prism Capital Partners announced new financing for a 10-megawatt co-hybrid power plant at the former Hoffmann-La Roche site on Route 3 in Nutley and Clifton.

The ON3 complex – which was once former home of Hoffmann-La Roche – has gained a new life since the pharmaceutical company left its former headquarters.

Over the past several years, Prism Capital has been redeveloping the sprawling complex, which now hosts tenants that include Ralph Lauren and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. It also recently became home to a new Starbucks location.

The campus continues to take shape, with recent commitments from Chase and Chipotle. The campus also houses Eisai Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Modern Meadow, and Proponent Federal Credit Union.

The campus is also home to a 10-megawatt, co-hybrid power plant. According to developers, ON3 is the first mixed-use redevelopment in New Jersey to integrate a central utility plant into its operation.

The result? Significantly less energy draw from the grid – and power redundancy for tenants, Prism says.

The need for power is part of Prism’s plans for ON3, which currently includes 1.55 million square feet of fully occupied space and an anticipated additional build-out of up to two million square feet.

On Tuesday, the firm announced that it has received “substantial financial backing” from PSE&G for the power plant through a grant and interest-free loan. Prism has also secured additional financing through Peapack Private Bank & Trust, which will support the replacement of aging wood-structured cooling towers with modern fiberglass models.

The new, high-efficiency towers also bring the advantage of free cooling during the colder months, Prism said.

Previous upgrades at the plant have included the installation of automated switching to maintain power on campus during a service interruption, as well as the installation of a “more robust” supply and power distribution network throughout the site, the firm said.

“Prism continues to explore options for incorporating new technologies, from batteries to steam-driven equipment,” spokespeople said.

According to Eugene Diaz, principal partner at Prism, the power plant was initially constructed by Hoffmann-La Roche in 1943. It saw several additions in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was renovated in 1985 with the installation of cogeneration equipment to provide supplemental energy on campus.

“Establishing an energy infrastructure that will support New Jersey’s economic growth is top of mind in our state, and rightly so,” Diaz said.

The company released an update about its Phase IV plans for the campus in 2024, which can be seen here.

• See Related: 'Major Data Center' May Be Coming To ON3 Site
• See Related: Sherrill Declares State Of Emergency In NJ Over Utility Bills

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