ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — The U.S. Interior Department on Tuesday approved construction of the Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm in New Jersey, giving a major boost to the state’s first offshore wind project.
The project requires two state permits before construction can begin, as well as additional federal approval for the construction and operating plans.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the decision marks the ninth offshore wind project approved by the Biden administration and would generate 13 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 5 million homes.
“The Biden-Harris administration is building momentum toward our clean energy future every day, and today’s milestone is another step toward our ambitious goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore energy by 2030,” she said in a statement. “Our clean energy future is now a reality. We’re tackling climate change, spurring job growth, and advancing equitable economic opportunity for all communities.”
The two-phase project will be built between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island in southern New Jersey. It will produce 2,800 megawatts, enough to power 1 million homes.
“This milestone delivers New Jersey’s first offshore wind project and brings us one step closer to achieving our ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2035,” Atlantic Shores CEO Joris Veldhoven said in a statement. “We recognize the importance of this milestone and are excited to work with our supply chain partners to continue making near-term investments and create good-paying, union jobs.”
Atlantic Shores, which received preliminary approval from New Jersey utility regulators in 2021, is now almost on par with a previously approved project that would have been New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm. Danish wind developer Orsted was close to starting work on two offshore wind farms, but halted the project in October 2023 after determining it was not economically viable.
The Department of the Interior said the Atlantic Shores project would be about 8.7 miles offshore at its closest point. But the company has previously said it would not build right up to that line, and the nearest turbines would be at least 12.8 miles from shore.
Atlantic Shores is a joint partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC.
The Interior Department has approved the construction of 195 wind turbines as part of the project, and the company wants up to 200.
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