New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has announced plans to develop New Jersey Wind Port, the first port in the US dedicated to offshore wind, a facility that will host staging, assembly and manufacturing activity for offshore windfarms on the US east coast
The governor said the port has the potential to create up to 1,500 manufacturing, assembly, and operations jobs, as well as hundreds of construction jobs in New Jersey.
“Offshore wind is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only protect our environment but also greatly expand our state economy in a way that has immediate impacts and paves the way for long-term growth,” said Governor Murphy.
“The New Jersey Wind Port will create thousands of high-quality jobs, bring millions of investment dollars to our state, and establish New Jersey as the national capital of offshore wind. This is a vital step forward in achieving our goal of reaching 7.5 GW of offshore wind power by 2035 and 100% clean energy by 2050.”
Construction is planned in two phases, beginning in 2021. Phase 1 will develop a 30-acre site to accommodate marshalling activities and a 25-acre component manufacturing site.
Phase 2 will add another 150+ acres to accommodate expanded marshalling activities and extensive manufacturing facilities for turbine components such as blades and nacelles.
The state currently estimates that the port will cost between US$300-400M at full build. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is leading development and is currently considering a range of public, private, and public-private partnership financing options.
The New Jersey Wind Port will be built in Lower Alloways Creek Township, on an artificial island on the eastern shores of the Delaware River, southwest of the City of Salem. The site was selected after a 22-month assessment process, including engagement with industry, government, and environmental stakeholders. The site is more than 8 km from the nearest New Jersey residential area, can be built to meet the offshore wind industry’s needs, and has ample space to grow operations over time.
The NJEDA is leading development on behalf of the state and is working closely with the landowner, PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group). The site is next to PSEG’s Hope Creek Nuclear Generation Station, and the company has partnered with the NJEDA to complete preparatory work to accelerate the project’s construction.
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities president Joe Fiordaliso said, “This port will serve as a hub for all offshore wind projects along the east coast, and further cements New Jersey’s position as a leader in offshore wind development, creating jobs and supply chain, and lowering the future costs of offshore wind.”
Business Network for Offshore Wind president and chief executive Liz Burdock said, “By providing a location that can accommodate the industry’s manufacturing and marshalling needs, the New Jersey Wind Port will make New Jersey an international leader in offshore wind and a hub for the east coast wind industry. This is a concrete step toward an offshore wind supply chain born in the US.”
National Ocean Industries Association president Erik Milito said, "New Jersey is making a smart move by betting on offshore wind.
"A thriving and innovative American offshore wind sector is close, but we need to invest in improved ports and infrastructure to make it a reality.
"Expanded port and manufacturing facilities up and down the east coast will bolster the construction bandwidth for offshore wind, creating efficiencies and reducing the risk of prohibitive delays.
"With a US$70Bn supply chain and an estimated 83,000 American jobs on the horizon this decade, New Jersey and other Atlantic states recognise this opportunity and are positioning themselves as foundations for a new American industry.
"There is real progress being made at the federal, state and local level in support offshore wind. NOIA is excited and optimistic about what both the near- and long-term future holds for American offshore wind."
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