Ocean Wind 1, New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm, today announced receipt of its Record of Decision (ROD) from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), successfully reaching a major milestone in the federal environmental review process.
With this milestone, Ocean Wind 1 remains on track to begin onshore construction activities in the fall of 2023, with offshore construction ramping up in 2024. Ocean Wind 1 will kickstart New Jersey’s role in the American offshore wind industry, powering approximately 500,000 homes with reliable renewable energy when it begins commercial operations in 2025.
“The announcement of Ocean Wind 1’s Record of Decision today represents a pivotal inflection point not just for Ørsted, but for New Jersey’s nation-leading offshore wind industry as a whole,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “By preparing to begin onshore construction this fall, Ocean Wind 1 will help bring New Jersey one crucial step closer to achieving a 100% clean energy economy by 2035 and 11,000 MW of offshore wind power by 2040. Just as importantly, as we continue to cultivate burgeoning new industries while confronting the worsening climate crisis, our state’s first offshore wind project will generate thousands of good-paying union jobs and considerable environmental benefits for generations to come.”
“As New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm comes closer to reality, the DEP pledges to continue working closely with our federal partners at BOEM, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and Ørsted to ensure that the project is done safely and responsibly,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “We thank BOEM for all the tireless work they have invested in completing the extensive environmental review for Ocean Wind 1.”
“The decision from BOEM brings us one important step closer to reaching our goal of 11 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, a vital part of our clean energy portfolio,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “Not only is offshore wind critical to our clean energy future, it is also a key economic driver and job creator as New Jersey seeks to become the supply chain hub for the east coast in this growing sector.”
“Today’s announcement serves as a critical milestone that brings New Jersey closer toward the construction of our first offshore wind farm, and advances Governor Murphy’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan. “Offshore Wind presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Jersey, and Ocean Wind 1 will offer high-skilled, good-paying union jobs and major economic investment in South Jersey, all while providing cleaner air and a healthier environment. The growing momentum in New Jersey’s clean energy sector is a testament to Governor Murphy’s leadership, and the hard work of our state and federal partners, who through this project, will create a better environment and stronger economy for New Jerseyans today and for years to come.”
“This is a historic day for New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm,” said U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ). “Today’s announcement is the beginning of the future of offshore wind in South Jersey. The manufacturing and construction of Ocean Wind 1 will create good paying jobs and spur economic development in our communities while also moving us closer to our clean energy goals. I look forward to the beginning of construction this fall.”
“Our future as a state, a nation, and a human civilization depend on our cultivation of clean new energy sources to combat climate change, and wind power is foundational to that growth,” said U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), who has helped author federal tax policy to facilitate offshore wind power growth. “Today’s action by the Biden Administration is a giant step forward for offshore wind power and the expansion of clean energy in the Garden State. This move will help our neighbors access clean and sustainable energy sources and support good paying union jobs on a large scale. Once again, New Jersey should be recognized as a clean energy innovator and leader for the entire world.”
“The news of BOEM’s issuance of its Record of Decision relating to Ocean Wind 1 is great news that is well-received by our leadership, but more importantly by the 150,000 members of New Jersey’s building trades community,” said William T. Mullen, President of the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Council. “New Jersey’s trades men and women have trained long and hard in anticipation of this decision that allows Ocean Wind 1 to move ahead with its onshore construction plans that will provide well-paying jobs today and into the future.”
"The announcement of BOEM's Record of Decision regarding Ocean Wind 1 is exciting news and organized labor recognizes the immense value this project holds in regard to job creation and economic development,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. “This decision paves the way for Ocean Wind 1 to proceed with its onshore construction plans, unlocking job opportunities that will support our highly skilled workforce and their families.”
“The decision by BOEM to issue a Record of Decision represents a key milestone for Ocean Wind 1 and New Jersey whose leaders have been deliberate and steadfast in their mission to reach 11,000 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2040,” said Doug O’Malley, Director, Environment New Jersey. “The time to take action to protect our environment is now - climate change is the greatest existing threat to our state and the development of offshore wind off the Jersey Shore is our best hope to power our state with clean renewable energy."
“The BOEM Record of Decision relating to Ocean Wind 1 represents a critical step toward harnessing clean, renewable offshore wind to power New Jersey’s homes and businesses. Responsibly developed offshore wind will help us mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis, all while creating family-sustaining union jobs, giving us better domestic control of our energy production, and improving the overall health of our ecosystems,” said Allison McLeod, Senior Policy Director, New Jersey LCV. “Every responsible offshore wind project moves us toward our clean energy future, which in addition to the climate and economic benefits, will also improve our air quality - which for too long has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and communities of color.”
Since 2019, Ocean Wind 1 has worked diligently to move through the state and federal review process and marks the first Record of Decision for a project whose review started under the Biden Administration. BOEM’s issuance of the Record of Decision precedes the anticipated approval of Ocean Wind 1’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) in September. The COP outlines the detailed construction, operation and maintenance activities of a wind farm, including the responsible decommissioning at end of life, the potential impacts, actions and design alternatives, and the proposed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate potential impacts from the project.
Ocean Wind 1 will soon move from the development and permitting phase to the construction phase, with onshore activities beginning in the fall 2023, including the project’s onshore underground transmission line and onshore substations.
Offshore installation of the project’s monopile foundations and GE Haliade-X wind turbines is expected to begin in 2024. Monopiles for Ocean Wind 1 are being welded, sandblasted and painted at EEW American Offshore Structures’ facility at the Port of Paulsboro, the first monopile fabrication facility in the U.S. Ørsted has made significant investments in the facility as part of its commitment to building a local, American offshore wind supply chain. New Jersey-based PSEG will support Ocean Wind 1 with construction management, environmental permitting and compliance services for the onshore substations and transmission cable installation scope.
Ørsted, with partner Rowan College of South Jersey, are actively recruiting New Jersey residents to participate in a paid training program to become wind turbine technicians. In addition, hundreds of union workers in New Jersey will support the construction of Ocean Wind 1 and additional projects in the region.
Developed by Ørsted, Ocean Wind is an 1,100 MW project located approximately 15 miles off the coast of southern New Jersey. The project will generate enough electricity to provide 500,000 homes with clean, renewable energy. Ocean Wind 1 is expected to begin commercial operations, delivering clean energy to New Jersey in 2025.
