The Ocean Wind Project is the first offshore wind farm off the waters of New Jersey. The developer will construct the wind farm in two parts.
The state government supports the nascent offshore wind industry in line with federal plans. Ocean Wind is the first step for the state in line with its 2030 offshore wind energy goals.
The Ocean Wind Project will utilize the New Jersey Wind port, which will go online in 2024. The New Jersey government awarded a 20-year OREC (Offshore Renewable Energy Certificates) to the wind farm in line with its plans.
The project will contribute to the state’s goal to reach 7.5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.
Where is Ocean Wind?
Ocean Wind originally covered a single lease in federal waters on the east coast of the USA. Ørsted requested to divide the lot in 2020 into two areas for a second project. The project is off the coast of Southern New Jersey.
The project is located offshore in the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Mid-Atlantic states, Delaware and New Jersey. The farm is approximately 15 miles away from the nearest shoreline.
Atlantic City will house the operations and maintenance hub of Ocean Wind 1. Ørsted will construct Ocean Wind 2 in 2028 and is still in the planning stage.
Who owns Ocean Wind?
The joint venture of Ørsted and New Jersey’s PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group) owns Ocean Wind 1. Ørsted owns the majority share of the 75:25 joint venture.
NJBPU (New Jersey Board of Public Utilities) awarded the project in June 2019 after assessing the submission of Orsted.
In April 2020, Ørsted sold 25% to PSEG in an undisclosed amount.
Ørsted operates globally and has a portfolio of offshore wind farms outside China. It is the only energy company that is about to reach net zero in its energy portfolio by 2025.
As a global leader among sustainable corporations, Ørsted also develops energy storage facilities, green fuels facilities, and other green energy facilities.
As a sustainable energy company invested in the USA, Ørsted installed 2.3 GW of capacity in its American onshore wind farms.
How large is the Ocean Wind?
According to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management documents, Ocean Wind 1 and 2 occupy 75,525 acres.
How much power does Ocean Wind produce?
Ocean Wind will produce 2,248 MW when it is complete. The wind power generated by the offshore wind project will power close to a million homes.
How many phases are in Ocean Wind?
Ørsted will deliver the project in two phases. The first project can power half a million homes, which will double after Ørsted completes the second project. Ocean Wind 2 will begin construction only in 2028.
The developer will operate Ocean Wind 1 by the latter part of 2024.
| Ocean Wind Phase | Online Date |
|---|---|
| Ocean Wind 1 | 2024 |
| Ocean Wind 2 | 2029 |
What are the economic benefits of Ocean Wind?
In Ocean Wind 1, Ørsted and PSEG had committed $695 million to help the budding wind industry in New Jersey.
Ørsted had also secured partnerships with the New Jersey Government and GE energy to strengthen the manufacturing base of offshore wind in the USA. GE energy will assemble the nacelles for Ocean Wind 1 in the New Jersey Wind Port.
The New Jersey Wind Port is fully dedicated to offshore wind projects. It will begin its operations in 2024 with Ørsted as the first lessee. The government of New Jersey had invested $300 to $400 million in the Salem port.
Ocean Wind 2 will deliver tangible investments directly to the community. Ørsted is investing $11 million in electric drayage trucks for the mobility and logistics of the citizens living near the Pork of Newark. The investment includes vehicle infrastructure and training programs.
Ørsted will also allocate $40 million in funding given to trusts, donations, and programs for the educational development of the workforce for offshore wind.
When is the first power of the Ocean wind project?
The project can provide electricity to the grid by the latter part of 2024.
What turbines will the wind farm project use?
Ocean Wind 1 will use GE Haliade-X 12 MW turbines, which are on the advanced side of turbine technology for offshore wind. There is an option in the contract to use the 13 MW variant. The second phase is in development and provides no information on the turbines to be used, though they will likely use Haliade turbines too.
