The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today awarded a combined 3,742 MW of offshore wind capacity to Invenergy and energyRE’s Leading Light Wind Project and Attentive Energy’s Attentive Energy Two Project. Leading Light Wind will reach 2.4 GW while Attentive Energy Two is sited for 1.342 GW.
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“The development of offshore wind energy is crucial to reaching our clean energy goal of of 100% clean energy by 2035 and mitigating the worsening impacts of climate change,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “My DEP colleagues and I are proud to be part of this effort and are working hard to ensure that the responsible development of offshore wind is protective of our state’s natural resources while providing clean energy to millions of homes and businesses and creating family-sustaining green jobs capable of lifting all people and communities across the Garden State.”
These projects provide cornerstone economic benefits that promise to build upon New Jersey’s standing as an offshore wind supply chain. Both projects have committed to supporting the establishment of a tower manufacturer at the New Jersey Wind Port in addition to sourcing monopiles from, and investing in, the expansion of the EEW monopile facility at the Port of Paulsboro. Together, the projects are estimated to create more than 27,000 direct, indirect, and induced full-time equivalent job years.
New Jersey’s comprehensive approach to offshore wind development aims to secure the best overall value for ratepayers while protecting the environment and commercial and recreational fishing interests. In addition to creating economic benefits and jobs, the awarded projects have also committed to provide support for environmental and fisheries research, monitoring, and conservation efforts in an amount totaling over $60 million.
The total bill impact of the two projects for residential customers will be $6.84 per month, beginning only once these offshore wind facilities are operational and delivering clean electricity to the New Jersey grid scheduled to begin in 2031.
The Governor Murphy Administration has led an all-of-government effort to bolster the state’s clean energy transition while focusing on jobs and economic growth. This includes developing the nation’s first purpose-built New Jersey Wind Port in Salem County, establishing a Wind Institute administered by New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority to coordinate workforce development and research and development in offshore wind, and making a $250 million investment in the Port of Paulsboro to establish a monopile manufacturing facility.
On November 29, 2023, Governor Murphy directed the NJBPU to accelerate the state’s fourth offshore wind solicitation, with project awards anticipated in early 2025.
The New Jersey offshore wind market has not been without its issues. In November 2023, Ørsted announced it would cease development of the Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects off the coast of New Jersey.
“Macroeconomic factors have changed dramatically over a short period of time, with high inflation, rising interest rates, and supply chain bottlenecks impacting our long-term capital investments,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted. “As a result, we have no choice but to cease development of Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2. We are extremely disappointed to have to take this decision, particularly because New Jersey is poised to be a U.S. and global hub for offshore wind energy. I want to thank Governor Murphy and NJ state and local leaders who helped support these projects and continue to lead the region in developing American renewable energy and jobs.”
Ørsted intended to retain the seabed lease area for Ocean Wind 1 (1.1 GW) and Ocean Wind 2 (1.148 GW).
News item from NJBPU
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