New Jersey receives three bids in largest state wind energy solicitation to date

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) received three bids from developers following its September 2018 solicitation for 1,100 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind.

An economic consultant will evaluate the bids. Once weighed by the expert and the board — likely in spring 2019 — recommendations will be made to the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, which will then review and approve a winning bidder. Considerations will be based on the net-economic and environmental benefits the proposed projects provide.

“The Board is extremely excited to receive these solicitations. New Jersey has regained its place as a leader when it comes to clean, renewable energy and offshore wind power is a major component in taking us there,” NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said. “We are one giant step closer to fulfilling Governor Phil Murphy’s vision of 3,500 MW of offshore wind power by 2030.”

Once the 1,100 MW project consideration is complete, Murphy has also asked the board to consider additional solicitations of 1,200 MWs in 2020 and 2022. All combined, the board estimates that the 3,500 MW of wind power could supply between 1.1 million and 2 million households annually.