A recent move by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities awarded offshore wind solicitations to two different project that will develop offshore wind capacity to power 1.5 million homes combined. The two approved projects will make New Jersey the largest offshore wind procurement in the history of the U.S.
The first project will be completed by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 LLC, which is a joint venture between EDF RE Offshore Development LLC and Shell New Energies US LLC and the second project will be completed by Ocean Wind 2 LLC, a direct subsidiary of Ørsted Offshore North America Inc. The projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions of more than 5 million short tons annually, according to a press release.
“With this procurement, New Jersey has continued to establish itself as a national leader in offshore wind,” Taylor McFarland, acting director of Sierra Club New Jersey Chapter, said. “The clean energy boom is inevitable, and it is critical that New Jersey regulators are taking proactive measures to expand our offshore wind industry.”
New Jersey has established itself as “the nation’s leader in offshore wind development,” according to a press release. The state plans to reach 100% clean energy by 2050 and, in the meantime, develop 7500MW of offshore wind by 2035. The two projects will add $3.5 billion to New Jersey’s economy and create 7,000 full- or part-time jobs.
“This second offshore wind solicitation of 2,658 MW will help our local businesses and communities benefit from the economic development and improvements in air and water quality associated with offshore wind energy,” McFarland said. “This is the future and we can either fall behind or stay ahead. I’m happy we’ve chosen the latter.”
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