After watching previous attempts to attract ocean windmills collapse, the Murphy administration is seeking new proposals for offshore energy
By Tom Johnson, NJ Spotlight News
The Murphy administration has again asked for proposals to build offshore wind projects off the Jersey coast, a step aiming to advance its struggling clean-energy goals despite recent events that have created turmoil in the sector.
In a unanimous vote, the state Board of Public Utilities began accepting bids from wind developers Tuesday, looking to build new offshore wind capacity of between 1.2 gigawatts and 4 gigawatts. If developed, it would vault New Jersey to well more than half of its target of 11 gigawatts by 2040.
That is perhaps a big if, however since supply chain constraints and steeper borrowing costs led New York to cancel three offshore wind projects it had granted provisional approval to earlier this month. Ørsted, the world’s biggest offshore wind developer, walked away from two projects off the Jersey coast last fall.
“The latest solicitation is further proof of our commitment to building a strong and thriving wind industry that will deliver undeniable economic and environmental benefits to our state, for both this generation and the next,’’ said Gov. Phil Murphy in a press statement following the action. The window for bids closes on July 10.
“We look forward to consider the next round of applications as we continue to combat the intensifying climate crisis and solidify New Jersey as a national offshore wind hub,’’ said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president of the BPU.
New Jersey has no offshore wind turbines currently operating, but has approved three projects, including two to build 3.7 gigawatts off the coast in January, enough to power about 1.8 million homes. Other states up and down the East Coast also are pursuing the technology as a way of fighting climate change and creating tens of thousands of jobs, but only two are operating.
Long a source of clean energy in Europe and Asia, the industry has navigated a host of challenges in recent years in the U.S. Supply chain constraints and steeper borrowing costs have slowed, delayed, and killed projects in recent months, as well as an outcry about the cost to utility customers, who will see higher energy bills.
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