Department of the Interior approves new offshore wind project in New Jersey

The Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project was approved recently by the Department of the Interior.

The Atlantic Shores South wind project, located about 8.7 miles off the coast of New Jersey, consists of two wind energy facilities, called Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2.

It will feature up to 200 total wind turbine generators and up to ten offshore substations. Subsea transmission cables are likely to be constructed to both Atlantic City and Sea Girt.

“The Biden-Harris administration is building momentum every day for our clean energy future, and today’s milestone is yet another step toward our ambitious goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore energy by 2030,” Secretary Deb Haaland said. “Our clean energy future is now a reality – thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda we are addressing climate change, fostering job growth, and promoting equitable economic opportunities for all communities.”

BOEM held four public meetings and solicited public comment on the draft EIS to gather feedback on the project. The feedback resulted in measures identified to avoid, minimize or mitigate the potential impacts of the project, including visual impacts and potential impacts to marine life and to existing ocean uses such as fishing.

“Today’s approval of the Atlantic Shores South Wind project follows an intentional collaborative process,” Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Elizabeth Klein said. “At BOEM, our dedication to engaging with Tribal Nations, states, other government agencies, industry, environmental organizations, and ocean users remains paramount, ensuring responsible energy development while addressing community concerns and safeguarding our marine ecosystems.”

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) applauded the DOI for approving the project, saying it will strengthen the grid and provide clean electricity to meet the growing energy demands in New Jersey.

“This decision follows a lengthy and comprehensive environmental review and permitting process and is an important step in making this project a reality. The Atlantic Shores South project includes two facilities which will be able to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power nearly one million homes. The offshore wind energy industry commends the Biden Administration’s continuing commitment to this growing U.S. energy sector,” Anne Reynolds, vice president for offshore wind at ACP, said

The “Notice of Availability of a Joint Record of Decision for the Proposed Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project” will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days.

This would be the nation’s ninth commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project approved during the Biden Administration. Including this project, the DOI has approved more than 13 gigawatts of clean energy from offshore wind energy projects – enough to power nearly five million homes.

In addition, BOEM has held four offshore wind energy lease sales, including offshore New York, New Jersey, the Carolinas, and the first-ever sales offshore the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Further, the DOI recently announced a schedule of up to 12 additional lease sales through 2028.