Offshore Wind Takes a Big Step Toward Reality

The Board of Public Utilities has received three applications for its solicitation for 1,100 megawatts of offshore wind. Orsted, a Danish offshore wind company, Equinor, a Norway-based energy company, and Atlantic Shores Offwind have submitted a bid to build offshore wind off our coast.

“This is a historic moment for renewable energy in NJ. We are finally seeing offshore wind become a reality off our coast with multiple bids for wind farms with the BPU .We have waited a long 9 years to see companies compete for these wind projects. It’s really important we are seeing competing projects, the more competition the better. Having different companies compete means more cost effective and efficient the projects will be. This is better for environment and better for the ratepayers,” said Jeff Tittel Director NJ Sierra Club. “These bids mean we not only get to 1100 MW of offshore wind but we are on our way to get our goal 3500 MW.”

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind has said the lease area has the potential to produce 2,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy — enough to power roughly 1 million homes. Orsted also holds a lease off the coast of Atlantic City, which it says is capable of supporting 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind development. Equinor holds a lease that sits 20 miles off the coast of Sandy Hook that can support between 1,000 to 1,500 megawatts of offshore wind.

Offshore wind can be the engine that drives our state to reach Governor Murphy’s 100% clean energy goals. Climate change impacts are happening now and it is critical for New Jersey transition to a renewable energy source to reduce those impacts. Other states, such as Rhode Island, have gotten the jobs and economic advantages of wind while NJ has fallen behind.

“We now have a chance to really get offshore wind moving and benefit from the economic and environmental benefits and clean jobs that come with it. Orsted, Equinor, and Atlantic Shores can generate 7,000MW for our state and there are still more companies that have applied. We need to use renewable energy to create green jobs and a green economy, while stopping dirty power plants and other fossil fuel infrastructure from taking over the state,” said Tittel.

The BPU closed solicitations December 28^th and will choose one by July 1^st.  The application process is the next step as part of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 8. The order sets a goal of providing 3,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030 with the first 1,100 megawatts implemented as soon as possible.

“It is critical that New Jersey is moving forward on becoming a leader in offshore wind. However we still don’t know what the BPU standards are for the leases, they are as clear as the Newark Bay. As we continue to rebuild our coast in the wake of multiple storm events we need to invest in clean, renewable energy sources that do not contribute to climate change. Wind energy is renewable, clean, and creates thousands creates jobs. Offshore wind off our coast could feasibly power 1.2 million homes with clean energy,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It is good to see that there are competing bids to build offshore wind off our coast. This is a big step towards making offshore wind a reality for New Jersey.”