Atlantic Shores will initially use the site in Lower Alloways Creek for marshaling of its 1.5-gigawatt project located off the coast of Atlantic City, which is expected to generate enough energy to power more than 700,000 homes.

The project – the largest single offshore wind project awarded in New Jersey and the third largest in the country – will be located 10 to 20 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.

“These funds will enable important resiliency projects to come to fruition,” said Maddy Urbish, head of government affairs and marketing strategy, New Jersey for Ørsted.

The joint proposal from Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development and JCP&L for the Larrabee Tri-Collector Solution, which is estimated to cost $1.07 billion taking grid updates into account, marks the first-ever use of the the State Agreement Approach (SAA) between the NJBPU and PJM Interconnection, New Jersey’s grid operator.

In 2021, the company – a partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America – was awarded an Offshore Renewable Energy Credit by NJBPU to deliver enough renewable energy to power 700,000 homes in the Garden State.

According to the organization, the move is part of its effort to establish the Wind Institute for Innovation and Training as an independent entity that would oversee the coordination and deployment of resources to advance workforce development, research and innovation in the industry throughout the Garden State.

“Extreme weather events and severe flooding across the country leave no room for doubt – the effects of climate change are becoming more impactful and more aggressive, and we must do the same,” said Murphy. “Our renewed and strengthened commitment to offshore wind development testifies to my Administration’s understanding that, regardless of our impressive success to date, there is always more that we can do to make New Jersey more sustainable while further advancing the state’s economic vitality.”

The industry is on the fast track in New Jersey, including the state's first such effort, Ocean Wind 1. And while that project progresses – and remains central to the state’s offshore wind efforts – another in South Jersey that is also an integral piece of the puzzle is gaining steam.

Atlantic Power Transmission's collaboration with Morrison Energy to build and train a local, union-based workforce would be executed if APT is awarded its bid under the New Jersey Offshore Wind SAA Transmission Solicitation. According to the partners, the proposed fabrication facilities efforts would also serve as the foundation for future projects.

The NJEDA is expanding the footprint of the Alloways Creek location where the first-of-its-kind infrastructure investment will lay a foundation for the state’s burgeoning offshore wind industry with the addition of a 109.4-acre property.

Following its release by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the state will now review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which analyzes potential impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources, and will provide feedback accordingly.

Offshore wind represents one of the largest engineering projects in recent memory and development work is proceeding rapidly in Trenton, the counties and among higher education institutions.