New Jersey Approves 2 Offshore Wind Farms

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — New Jersey approved contracts for two offshore wind farms Wednesday that will generate enough electricity to power 1.15 million homes, officials said.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) voted unanimously to award 1,510 megawatts of capacity to EDF/Shell’s Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and 1,148 megawatts to Ørsted’s Ocean Wind II.

These approved projects will advance Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of achieving 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035 and 100 percent clean energy by 2050, officials said.

Ørsted plans to construct 99 wind turbines about 15 miles off the coast from Atlantic City to Cape May and the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project will be 10 miles off the coast from Atlantic City to Barnegat Light.

“Expanding New Jersey’s offshore wind industry is a major component of achieving our goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, while providing significant opportunities and economic benefits for our state,” said Murphy.

“By leveraging a whole-of-government approach and the strengths of our state, this award ensures that our investment in clean energy is also an investment in our communities, and will generate good-paying, union jobs and bring valuable investments to New Jersey. Today’s award, which is the nation’s largest combined award to date, further solidifies New Jersey as an offshore wind supply chain hub and leader in the offshore wind industry in the United States."

The two projects are estimated to create 7,000 full and or part time jobs across the development, construction and operational phases.

They are expected to generate $3.5 billion in economic benefits and power 1.15 million homes with clean energy, according to the NJBPU.

The project developers will contribute $10,000 per megawatt to fund research initiatives and wildlife and fishery monitoring in the region – totaling $26 million that will be administered by NJBPU and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through a stakeholder process.

“It is an exciting time for clean energy in New Jersey thanks to Governor Murphy’s leadership,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “The responsible development of offshore wind will help New Jersey reduce the worsening effects of climate change while creating family-sustaining green jobs capable of lifting all people and communities across the Garden State.”

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