Ocean Wind 1 will kickstart New Jersey’s role in the American offshore wind industry, powering approximately 500,000 homes with reliable renewable energy when it begins commercial operations in 2025.
“Ocean Wind 1 is on the cusp of making history as construction on New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm is set to begin in a few short months, delivering on the promise of good-paying jobs, local investment and clean energy,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted.
“The announcement of Ocean Wind 1’s Record of Decision today represents a pivotal inflection point not just for Ørsted, but for New Jersey’s nation-leading offshore wind industry as a whole,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By preparing to begin onshore construction this fall, Ocean Wind 1 will help bring New Jersey one crucial step closer to achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2035 and 11,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2040.
"Just as importantly, as we continue to cultivate burgeoning new industries while confronting the worsening climate crisis, our state’s first offshore wind project will generate thousands of good-paying union jobs and considerable environmental benefits for generations to come.”
“The decision from BOEM brings us one important step closer to reaching our goal of 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, a vital part of our clean energy portfolio,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “Not only is offshore wind critical to our clean energy future, it is also a key economic driver and job creator as New Jersey seeks to become the supply chain hub for the east coast in this growing sector.”
“Today’s announcement serves as a critical milestone that brings New Jersey closer toward the construction of our first offshore wind farm, and advances Governor Murphy’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan.
"The announcement of BOEM's Record of Decision regarding Ocean Wind 1 is exciting news and organized labor recognizes the immense value this project holds in regard to job creation and economic development,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. “This decision paves the way for Ocean Wind 1 to proceed with its onshore construction plans, unlocking job opportunities that will support our highly skilled workforce and their families.”
Since 2019, Ocean Wind 1 has worked diligently to move through the state and federal review process and marks the first Record of Decision for a project whose review started under the Biden Administration.
BOEM’s issuance of the Record of Decision precedes the anticipated approval of Ocean Wind 1’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) in September. The COP outlines the detailed construction, operation and maintenance activities of a wind farm, including the responsible decommissioning at end of life, the potential impacts, actions and design alternatives, and the proposed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts from the project.
Ocean Wind 1 will soon move from the development and permitting phase to the construction phase, with onshore activities beginning in the fall 2023, including the project’s onshore underground transmission line and onshore substations.
Offshore installation of the project’s monopile foundations and GE Haliade-X wind turbines is expected to begin in 2024. Monopiles for Ocean Wind 1 are being welded, sandblasted and painted at EEW American Offshore Structures’ facility at the Port of Paulsboro, the first monopile fabrication facility in the U.S. Ørsted has made significant investments in the facility as part of its commitment to building a local, American offshore wind supply chain.
New Jersey-based PSEG will support Ocean Wind 1 with construction management, environmental permitting and compliance services for the onshore substations and transmission cable installation scope.
Ørsted, with partner Rowan College of South Jersey, are actively recruiting New Jersey residents to participate in a paid training program to become wind turbine technicians. In addition, hundreds of union workers in New Jersey will support the construction of Ocean Wind 1 and additional projects in the region.
Developed by Ørsted, Ocean Wind is an 1,100 MW project located approximately 15 miles off the coast of southern New Jersey. The project will generate enough electricity to provide 500,000 homes with clean, renewable energy. Ocean Wind 1 is expected to begin commercial operations, delivering clean energy to New Jersey in 2025.
