NJBPU opens 4th offshore wind solicitation

The

administration continues the march forward on its offshore wind ambitions. On Tuesday, officials announced the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved a fourth offshore wind solicitation guidance document (SGD) and the launch of the fourth offshore wind solicitation.

The NJBPU says this round seeks to award between 1.2 gigawatts and approximately 4 gigawatts of offshore wind generation capacity. That application window opened April 30. It is available through July 10 at 5 p.m.

Officials note this solicitation aims to encourage competition, promote economic development and combat climate impacts at the lowest reasonable cost and risk to New Jersey ratepayers, while also meeting the state’s procurement goals.

The announcement marks continued, renewed momentum for the sector following some bumps in recent months. Notably, rsted’s decision to pull the plug on Ocean Wind 1 and 2. Additionally, some broader economic conditions have impacted the entire offshore wind industry.

Opposition persists from local activists, Republican lawmakers and other stakeholders as well, who have criticized everything from sightlines and potential negative economic impact for shore towns to the potential harm to marine life and more.

'Undeniable economic and environmental benefits'

Earlier this year, in the most recent solicitation, the NJBPU awarded two of the largest offshore wind projects to date Attentive Energy Two (1,342 MW) and Leading Light Wind (2,400 MW). The work is estimated to produce $6.8 billion in economic benefits to the state, including some 4,350 new jobs.

Following that rsted reversal, those two projects join Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind’s Project 1 (1,510 MW) as the Garden State’s approved endeavors. Last month, the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project entered the federal environmental review part of the process.



“This latest solicitation is further proof of our commitment to building a strong and thriving offshore wind industry that will deliver undeniable economic and environmental benefits to our state for both this generation and the next,” said Gov. Phil . “BPU’s latest solicitation will help guarantee that New Jersey residents have access to clean, affordable energy produced right here at home and powered by our very own union workforce.”



“After gathering valuable and robust feedback from stakeholders, the NJBPU is proud to release its fourth offshore wind SGD,” said NJBPU President Christine . “We look forward to considering the next round of applications as we continue to combat the intensifying climate crisis and solidify New Jersey as a national offshore wind hub.”

The fourth offshore wind SGD can be viewed here .

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