The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced its official acceptance of the application tendered by EDF Renewables and Fishermen’s Energy for the Nautilus Offshore Wind project. The agency is expected to review the project over the next few months and make a decision on whether to approve the project for immediate construction, which will be located approximately 2.8 miles east of the coastline of Atlantic City and could be complete as soon as 2020.
The Nautilus Offshore Wind project could be completed as soon as 2020, and residents across the state could expect to receive power generated from the project in 2021.
The small-scale project, expected to be comprised of three wind turbines with a combined capacity of up to 25 MW is a crucial first step towards implementing the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act (OWEDA) and building a workforce capable of meeting Governor Phil Murphy’s statewide goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind generation by 2030.
“Our purpose with Nautilus is not just to deliver offshore wind power, but to leverage this initial build to help the New Jersey workforce quickly gain deep expertise in offshore wind in comparison with other states,” said Doug Copeland, EDF Renewables regional project manager.
“With offshore wind poised to become one of the nation’s fastest growing production sectors, there is a real opportunity for New Jersey to lead the country in implementing future commercial scale projects faster and more cost effectively – all with a minimal impact on the ocean environment,” added Copeland.
The project is expected to employ the equivalent of 600 workers for a year during construction, as well as additional jobs during operations and maintenance. New Jersey residents across the state could expect to begin receiving power generated by the Nautilus Offshore Wind project as early as 2021. It’s estimated that for the average New Jersey electric consumer, the additional cost of power will amount to about $1.76 per year, which is less than the price of a cup of coffee.
In return, an independent analysis showed that Nautilus is expected to increase New Jersey’s total economic output by $150 million with construction by 2020. Maintaining the offshore wind project could add $16 million annually for the state, with a projected economic and environmental net benefit of $235 million.
A number of New Jersey economic organizations and political officials have already voiced support for the project.
“Nautilus will make it possible for Atlantic City to become the birth place of an emerging industry, creating new jobs and sustainable economic growth,” said New Jersey Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo. “When approved, the project will be the start of an energy transformation that will allow for a brighter and cleaner future here in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County and across the state.”
Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, added: “The Nautilus Offshore project is a perfect example of how states can quickly kick off the build of their offshore wind economies. Along our U.S. coastline, offshore wind provides us with the power to create unparalleled job and economic growth.”
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Projects
