Wind Energy – Atlantic Shores
Today, Atlantic Shores Offshore announced that it has received Construction and Operations Plan (COP) approvals from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2, which combined will generate enough renewable energy to serve more than 1 million New Jersey homes.
“Atlantic Shores is thrilled to receive approval to build our first two projects and deliver sufficient clean power to serve one-third of New Jersey households,” said Joris Veldhoven, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind. “Securing these critical approvals enables New Jersey’s first offshore wind project to start construction next year and represents meaningful progress in New Jersey achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. We are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, our agency partners at the U.S. Department of the Interior and BOEM, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and all our federal and state agency partners who helped deliver this moment for Atlantic Shores.”
Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2 represent 2,800 megawatts (MW) of safe, reliable renewable power at unmatched scale and maturity. Atlantic Shores Project 1 is New Jersey’s first offshore wind project and COP approval will enable the near-term creation of thousands of in-demand jobs and acceleration of billions of dollars in supply chain investments being made in the Garden State. Atlantic Shores Project 2 will build on this first-mover success and drive economic growth across the state over the next decade.
“Today’s announcement from Atlantic Shores represents meaningful progress toward a clean energy future for New Jersey. Growing New Jersey’s offshore wind capacity has been one of the highest priorities for my Administration,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “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.”
“I congratulate Atlantic Shores for reaching yet another milestone on an important project that is on track to become the first offshore wind farm in federal waters off New Jersey’s coast. I believe that 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,” said Senator George Helmy. “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 of New Jersey’s coast, and I look forward to continuing to work with Atlantic Shores and other stakeholders in my time in the Senate.”
“BOEM’s final approval of the Atlantic Shores South project is a major milestone for New Jersey’s clean energy future,” said Paulina O’Connor, Executive Director of the New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance. “The New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance congratulates Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind on reaching this critical step in responsible offshore wind development. This project will not only bring renewable energy to nearly a million homes, but it will also create jobs and economic opportunities while protecting marine life and supporting our climate goals.”
