New Jersey announces unprecedented scale of offshore wind power contracts
Key announcement keeps state at the forefront of a burgeoning national industry
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2021
Media Contact: Melinda Skea
TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) voted this morning to select the state’s second and third offshore wind power projects. At 2,658 MW, this project will power 1.5 million Garden State homes. Atlantic Shores, which will use the Network’s Direct Connect to build out the NJ-based supply chain, at 1,509.6 MW, will be developed approximately 10.5 miles from shore, and Ocean Wind II, at 1,148 MW, will stand approximately 13.8 miles from shore. Together, these projects, to come online in phases in 2027, 2028, and 2029, will inject an estimated $3.5 billion into the New Jersey economy and create roughly 7,000 high-quality jobs across the state. Both projects will utilize the Paulsboro manufacturing facility and New Jersey Wind Port.at 1,509.6 MW, will be developed approximately 10.5 miles from shore, and Ocean Wind II, at 1,148 MW, will stand approximately 13.8 miles from shore. Together, these projects, to come online in phases in 2027, 2028, and 2029, will inject an estimated $3.5 billion into the New Jersey economy and create roughly 7,000 high-quality jobs across the state. Both projects will utilize the Paulsboro manufacturing facility and New Jersey Wind Port.
Today’s historic action builds on the Murphy Administration’s consistent, trail-blazing leadership to advance responsibly developed offshore wind power. Shortly after taking office, Governor Murphy issued an executive order committing New Jersey to 3,500 megawatts — a milestone that today’s project awards will help the state realize. Since then, New Jersey more than doubled its offshore wind goal to a total of 7,500 megawatts by 2035 — enough to power more than 3 million homes — and the BPU has stayed on track with an ambitious offshore wind procurement schedule to turn these goals into projects.
New Jersey’s environmental, conservation, business, labor, and fishing leaders applauded Governor Murphy and the BPU for today’s decision:
Brandon Burke, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Engagement for the Oceantic Network, said:
It has been a monumental year for U.S. offshore wind and New Jersey is a state setting that trend. By awarding 1,509.6 MW to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and 1,148 MW to Ocean Wind II, New Jersey is showing its leadership and future-oriented thinking to fulfill Governor Murphy’s 7,500 MW offshore wind target. The state’s procurement will grow the New Jersey economy and the domestic offshore wind supply chain, as both projects commit to using the New Jersey Wind Port and the Paulsboro monopile manufacturing facility.”
Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey, said:
“In the middle of a heat wave, the timing is perfect for the NJBPU to double down on offshore wind and expand New Jersey’s commitment to a clean, renewable energy future. Offshore wind is our best bet to power our state’s economy with clean energy and reduce our climate and air pollution from our power sector. New Jersey has been sitting on a gold mine of offshore wind that has been untapped off the Shore and today’s announcement will expand the number of companies that will construct offshore wind turbines. There is still a long way to go to make offshore wind a reality off the Jersey Shore, but today’s successful bids means we have made two big steps to a clean, renewable energy future.”
Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV, said:
“We are thrilled the BPU and the Murphy administration are making good on their promises to take bold action to advance wind energy in NJ, lead the nation as a regional hub for offshore wind manufacturing, and create thousands of good-middle class jobs that can’t be outsourced. Today’s announcement puts New Jersey one step closer to its goal of powering 3 million homes with clean energy from offshore wind.”
Catherine Bowes, offshore wind program director at the National Wildlife Federation, said:
“New Jersey continues to climb toward its ambitious offshore wind power goals, and these project announcements mark a bold stride forward, unprecedented in scale. We applaud Governor Murphy and the Board of Public Utilities for their persistent efforts to realize the potential of responsibly developed offshore wind power that benefits both people and wildlife. We will keep working with project developers, partner organizations, and federal, state, and community leaders to ensure that these projects advance good jobs, abundant wildlife, and environmental justice.”
Robert Freudenberg, Vice President, Energy & Environment, Regional Plan Association, said:
“We applaud today’s bold announcement from the BPU, which demonstrates New Jersey’s strong and ongoing commitment to offshore wind. The state’s continued leadership in this space ensures that our region will be home to a thriving, clean, industry that advances the transition to a decarbonized economy, creating economic and community development opportunities while directly taking on the climate crisis.”
Debra Coyle McFadden, Executive Director of NJ Work Environment Council, said:
“As President Biden hits the road to talk about his infrastructure bill, here in NJ we are taking action on building infrastructure for a clean energy future. New Jersey remains well positioned to be the hub of offshore wind in the region. The importance of this can’t be understated as we think about creating a domestic manufacturing supply chain. Traditionally, good, union manufacturing jobs have been the key to a strong middle class. Kudos to Governor Murphy for continuing to make offshore wind a priority.”
Drew Tomkins, Director of Policy, NJ Audubon, said:
“Today’s announcement selecting additional offshore wind projects is another positive step forward in the transition to clean energy, which is critical to fighting climate change – a major threat to wildlife. We look forward to working with the companies to ensure their projects are designed, built, and managed in a responsible fashion that will minimize impacts to our treasured natural resources, including birds, while effectively generating large amounts of clean, renewable power.”
Capt. Paul Eidman, Anglers for Offshore Wind Power, said:
“Recreational anglers from Sandy Hook to Cape May applaud and celebrate today’s exciting awards. We are excited to be at the table and working alongside the developers selected today and making sure that the new wind farms are developed responsibly along New Jersey’s coastline. The towers and foundations will become a major artificial reef system that will be a boon for fishing and will hold a variety of prime gamefish species along our coast so more anglers can enjoy them year round.”
Amanda Devecka-Rinear, Executive Director New Jersey Resource Project:
“We believe responsible offshore wind development that benefits our communities will provide real opportunities for the Shore and South Jersey. We’re already living with flooding – we need to act now to improve our infrastructure and move to renewable energy like offshore wind. It’s critical that all working class New Jerseyans benefit from offshore wind. No one gets left behind: Black, brown, or white.”
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