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Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is proposing the construction and operation of two distinct offshore wind energy projects dubbed Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2. Combined, the COP approves up to 195 total wind turbine generators. The first facility holding between 105-136 wind turbine generators and between 64-95 wind turbine generators for the second facility. The wind turbine area for both sites will total 102,124 acres (413.3 km2).
The projects will also have up to 10 offshore substations (also called “electrical service platforms”), one meteorological tower, up to four temporary meteorological and oceanographic buoys inter-array cables, up to two onshore substations, one operations and maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission cables making landfall at two New Jersey locations: the Atlantic Landfall site in Atlantic City, and Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt.
The wind turbine generators, offshore substations, array cables, and substation inter-connector cables will be located approximately 8.7 miles from the New Jersey shoreline at is closest point.
Environmental considerations have also been part of the approval process. According to BOEM, strategic measures have been put in place to mitigate impacts on marine life and other ocean activities. As the project constructor, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is expected to align its activities – during the course of the project – in accordance with specifications provided in the BOEM’s environmental review for the project.
Current status fo the projects
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind announced that it has received Construction and Operations Plans (COP) approvals from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2.
The two projects combined will generate enough energy, of up to 2,800 megawatts of clean renewable energy, that will serve more than a third of the more than 3 million New Jersey homes.
The energy produced is an up-step to what was originally proposed in 2021 before the project stalled after Netherlands-based Ørsted, a wind farm developer, pulled out of the project. The originally proposed energy production was up to 1,510 megawatts.
According to Joris Veldhoven, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, construction that is to start in 2025 will be a huge leap in helping New Jersey achieve 100% clean energy by 2035. “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 . . .”
Benefits of the Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2 Projects
The construction of the Atlantic Shores Projects 1 and 2 will also have other upsides other than the production of clean renewable green energy, and supporting climate action and sustainable energy goals. This will include: job creation for the people of New Jersey, and an economic boom off low-cost energy, as put by Senator George Helmy. “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.”
If successful as per the projected specifications, it will be the largest offshore wind farm in the US, with the contractor expecting the project to be operational by 2028. |
