NJBPU issues solicitation guidance for second offshore wind project in NJ
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) issued solicitation guidance on the state’s second offshore wind project.
The solicitation guidance document includes information on the timeline for the second solicitation, the application requirements, and the criteria for evaluating applications.
The state’s first offshore wind solicitation was for 1,100 megawatts (MW) of energy. The state’s goal is to have 7,500 MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
“Using lessons learned from our first successful solicitation of 1,100 MW, we are very excited to move forward with our second offshore wind solicitation which could bring the state up to a total of 3,500 MW of offshore wind energy,” NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso said. “Offshore wind is the linchpin of our clean energy program and will help us reach Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050, build an innovation economy, and combat the impacts of climate changes.”
The board also scheduled a virtual public meeting on Aug. 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., which will feature a presentation by NJBPU staff on New Jersey’s offshore wind goals and activities, as well as information on the requirements of the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act. Staff will also summarize the content of the solicitation guidance document for the second project, with public comment to follow. NJBPU also will accept written comments on the solicitation guidance document by Aug. 19.
After this meeting, NJBPU expects to consider the second solicitation at its September board meeting. Applications would then be accepted in December 2020 with a final decision by the board in June 2021.
In June 2019, NJBPU approved an application for a 1,100 MW offshore wind generation project submitted by Ocean Wind. The project is currently underway and should be operating in 2024.
