New Jersey receives two bids in response to latest offshore wind solicitation

The solicitation seeks to award 1.2 GW to 2.4 GW of offshore wind energy, potentially tripling the state’s already committed 1.1 GW of capacity.

NJBPU received bids on 10 December 2020 from Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind – the 50-50 joint venture between EDF Renewables North America and Shell New Energies – and Ørsted. It will now review the applications with its consultant Levitan and Associates. The board anticipates making an award in June 2021.

In 2022 NJBPU will vote to open a third solicitation for offshore wind of at least 1.2 GW.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said, “New Jersey’s growing offshore wind industry will create a welcome economic boom as we continue our recovery from Covid-19.

“Developing our offshore wind capability allows New Jersey to build back smarter and stronger, with sustainability and equity at the forefront.”

A key component of the solicitation is a requirement that the selected applicants provide US$10,000 per MW to the state for research initiatives and monitoring of wildlife and fisheries related to the introduction of offshore wind projects.

In 2019, New Jersey awarded the largest single offshore wind solicitation in the country to Ørsted’s 1.1 GW Ocean Wind project, which is expected to be operational by 2024.