By Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight
New Jersey plans to ramp up its reliance on offshore wind, now with a new executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy to increase the state’s goal for building wind farms off the coast.
Murphy, speaking Wednesday at an event in New York City for Climate Week, increased the state’s target of 7,500 megawatts from wind turbines by 2035 to 11,000 MW by 2040. The move underscores the importance of offshore wind in achieving the administration’s transition to a 100% clean-energy economy by mid-century.
“This is an aggressive target, but achievable,’’ Murphy said. At the same time, he announced the release of a Council on the Green Economy study that projected the state can expect an additional 314,886 net jobs over the next 10 years based on current green policies and investment.
Murphy’s executive order increasing offshore wind energy goal
In announcing the increased offshore wind goal, a jump of nearly 50%, Murphy also talked about a further expansion that may be in the offing. The state Board of Public Utilities was directed in the executive order to study the feasibility of raising the target further.
“Offshore wind is the best way to reach New Jersey’s clean renewable energy mandates and Gov. Murphy’s executive order cements the reality that offshore wind will continue to expand over the next decade-plus,’’ said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey.
Clean-energy advocates have long pressed the administration to pursue more ambitious offshore wind targets. Murphy has done so before. In 2019, he increased his administration’s original target of having 3,500 MW in the state by 2030 to the 7,500-MW target by 2035.
‘Gov. Murphy’s executive order cements the reality that offshore wind will continue to expand over the next decade plus.’ — Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey
So far, the state has approved building 3,700 MW to be generated by three projects off the New Jersey coast, but none yet have been built. The first wind farm is expected to be operating by mid-decade. The state has scheduled a third solicitation seeking to build 1,200 MW in the first quarter of 2023.
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