New jersey accelerates offshore wind schedule amid nantucket wind farm incident

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) have announced the acceleration of the state’s offshore wind solicitation schedule, advancing the start of its fifth offshore wind solicitation from the third quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2025. This decision made weeks prior to the malfunction in Massachusetts has not changed in light of that incident.

It comes despite recent concerns following a turbine blade incident at the Nantucket Wind Farm.

Governor Murphy has not made any public comments regarding the incident and how to prevent a similar incident at the proposed massive offshore wind farms in New Jersey.

“Offshore wind development remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will result in significant economic and environmental benefits throughout the Garden State,” said Governor Murphy. “At this pivotal inflection point for the industry both in New Jersey and across the nation, it’s critical that we remain committed to delivering on the promise of thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs, and cleaner air for generations to come.”

The NJBPU recently opened the state’s fourth solicitation for 1.2 to 4 GW of offshore wind generation capacity, with the application window open until 5:00 p.m. ET on July 10, 2024.

In a related move, the NJBPU announced a pause on the Second State Agreement Approach (SAA) for coordinated offshore wind transmission planning with PJM Interconnection. This decision follows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Order 1920 on long-term regional transmission planning and PJM’s ongoing interconnection queue reform process. The NJBPU states that the pause will allow for a thorough evaluation of the new FERC rule’s implications and participation in PJM’s process.

Additionally, the Murphy Administration announced the settlement of claims with Orsted concerning the cessation of the Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects. The state and Orsted have agreed to release claims against each other, with the state receiving $125 million.

These funds will support investments in qualified wind energy facilities, offshore wind component manufacturing facilities,

That is $125 million short of the promise to recover made earlier by Murphy.

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