LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – New Jersey’s inaugural offshore wind farm began its onshore construction phase in Lacey Township on Oct. 2. The work is scheduled to extend into Island Beach State Park throughout the upcoming year.
Future procedures involve the installation of copper and aluminum cables. These cables are designed to link with the electric grid at substations in former power plants in Ocean and Cape May counties.
Island Beach State Park construction is projected to last until May before pausing until September to avoid disrupting the peak tourism months. This was confirmed by representatives from Ørsted, a Denmark-based energy firm.
NJ.com revealed on Oct. 6 that the majority of the cables will be subterranean. However, overhead lines will connect to both station locations. Meanwhile, the Lacey Township will see the phased construction of an onshore export cable until August.
The groundbreaking construction for Ocean Wind 1 signifies a significant step toward the anticipated offshore construction phase. This movement aligns with New Jersey’s forward-looking clean energy aspirations.
Ørsted indicated in an online public session on Oct. 4 that the installation of the turbines offshore is set to commence between April and June of the forthcoming year.
Prior to the offshore initiation, Ocean Wind 1 awaits final clearances. This includes approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and various state and local authorities.
The green light to begin was given following the sanctioning of a construction and operations blueprint by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) this past September.