Third commercial-scale US offshore windfarm nears construction go-ahead

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the Ocean Wind 1 project off the coast of New Jersey and is expected to issue a final record of decision (ROD) after 30 days, granting the project environmental approval to begin construction.

Ocean Wind has already secured an offtake agreement with the state of New Jersey to deliver 1.1 GW of offshore wind capacity and expects to begin operation in late 2024 or early 2025. Only two other projects – Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind – have received RODs for their projects, and both have begun installation activities. 

Ocean Wind LLC, a joint venture between offshore wind developer Ørsted and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) proposes to install up to 98 wind turbines and up to three offshore substations within its lease area. At its closest point, the Ocean Wind 1 project will be at least 13 nautical miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Export cables are anticipated to make landfall in Ocean County and Cape May County, New Jersey. 

If all 98 turbines are installed, the estimated capacity of the windfarm will range from 1,215 to 1,440 MW.

BOEM director Liz Klein said offshore wind is “a critical component of the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to tackle the climate crisis, while creating good-paying jobs and ensuring economic opportunities are accessible to all communities.” 

Business Network for Offshore Wind founder and chief executive Liz Burdock said, “With two projects already being installed, the US offshore wind industry is on the move as the logjam of projects awaiting approval breaks open. 

“Ocean Wind 1 is the first in a pipeline of eight more projects, providing more than 15 GW of generation, to receive a final environmental impact assessment. 

“Consistently working through this this pipeline is key to creating the strong supply chain required to build and sustain our industry. Today’s action advancing Ocean Wind 1 also bolsters the monopile facility under construction in Paulsboro, the New Jersey Wind Port, and a fabrication facility in Baltimore harbour. All three will be critical parts of the US supply chain moving forward.”

In January 2023, Ørsted confirmed that it is to acquire PSEG’s 25% equity stake in Ocean Wind 1 and will become the sole owner of the project.