New Jersey’s first offshore windfarm gets green light for construction

Atlantic Shores is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies and EDF-RE Offshore Development, a subsidiary of EDF Renewables North America. Approval of the COP for the project is the final approval needed from BOEM, following the Department of the Interior’s July 2024 Record of Decision.

BOEM director Liz Klein said, “The Biden-Harris administration is dedicated to advancing responsible offshore wind energy projects like Atlantic Shores South Wind, which will create good-paying jobs and drive economic growth, while combating the climate crisis. I am proud to announce BOEM’s final approval of Atlantic Shores South Projects 1 and 2, which have the potential to generate up to 2.8 GW of clean energy.”

Subsequent to the record of decision, the original lease was divided into two separate leases, both approximately 14 km offshore New Jersey at their closest points. The approved construction and operations plan includes up to 197 total locations for wind turbine generators, offshore substations and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt, providing clean electricity to the New Jersey grid.  

Responding, Atlantic Shores chief executive Joris Veldhoven said, “We are thrilled to receive approval to build our first two projects and deliver sufficient clean power to serve one third of New Jersey households.

“Securing these approvals enables New Jersey’s first offshore wind project to start construction next year and is meaningful progress in New Jersey achieving 100% clean energy by 2035.”

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said, “Offshore wind will strengthen our state’s economy through supply chain investments and good-paying, union jobs. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration clearing the way for this milestone, we are one step closer to achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035.

Senator George Helmy said, “I congratulate Atlantic Shores for reaching yet another milestone on an important project that is on track to become the first offshore windfarm in federal waters off New Jersey’s coast. 

“I believe offshore wind has the potential to play a key role in transitioning us to a clean-energy economy, delivering zero-carbon energy to our state while spurring billions of dollars in economic investment and creating good-paying jobs.

“Bills to bolster the offshore wind industry and increase its benefits to our state were among the first pieces of legislation that I cosponsored in the Senate. I commend both the Biden-Harris Administration and Governor Murphy for their commitment to making offshore wind a reality off New Jersey’s coast, and I look forward to continuing to work with Atlantic Shores and other stakeholders in my time in the Senate.”