The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is expediting its fifth offshore wind solicitation by moving it up from the third quarter of 2026 to the second quarter of 2025, over a year ahead of the initial timeline.
The announcement came from the state’s Board of Public Utilities on May 28. “Offshore wind development remains a once-in-a-generation opportunity yielding significant economic and environmental benefits for the Garden State,” stated New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. He further emphasized the industry’s importance at this crucial juncture, stating that commitment to its development promises thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs and cleaner air for future generations.
Three auctions for offshore wind projects have been conducted in New Jersey to date. In 2019, the state awarded the country’s largest single offshore wind project to Ørsted’s 1.1 GW Ocean Wind. However, the project was subsequently canceled due to supplier delays.
The second solicitation in 2021 led to the largest combined award of 2.6 GW of offshore wind capacity to EDF/Shell’s Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and Ørsted’s Ocean Wind 2 projects.
Meanwhile, in early 2022, the Board awarded two of New Jersey’s largest offshore wind projects yet, the 1,342 MW Attentive Energy Two project (developed by a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corio Generation) and the 2,400 MW Leading Light Wind project (developed by Invenergy and energyRE).
The NJBPU has opened the state’s fourth solicitation for 1.2 GW to 4 GW of offshore wind generation capacity, with the application window set to close on July 10.
The state has also decided to hold off on implementing the Second State Agreement Approach (SAA) for the coordinated offshore wind transmission planning with regional grid operator PJM Interconnection (PJM). This decision comes in light of a new rule by federal energy regulators that could influence planning and costs.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz