New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Backs Offshore Wind

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is remaining committed to supporting the state’s goals of generating 3.5GW of offshore wind by 2030 and reaching 100% of renewable energy by 2050.

The Offshore Wind Supply Chain Networking Event at Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment provided information about the state’s plans for offshore wind, supply chain opportunities, available incentives, and workforce development programs.

The event was co-sponsored by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Department of Environmental Protection, and Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as well as several offshore wind related businesses.  

Emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind, New Jersey opened a solicitation in September for 1,100 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind, the nation’s largest single-state solicitation of offshore wind to date. The Governor has also called on the NJBPU to open additional solicitations for 1,200 MW in 2020 and 2022.

“The networking and collaboration facilitated here is hugely important as we move forward to implement the Governor’s offshore wind vision, which includes building the supply chain and creating job opportunities,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.

“In addition to the obvious clean energy benefits as we attempt to combat the impacts of climate change, the scale of the solicitation is designed to attract the offshore wind supply chain to New Jersey and to create new jobs and economic activity, all while reducing greenhouse emissions.”

NJ Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan provided morning remarks focusing on how the offshore wind solicitation will generate local economic opportunity.

“Offshore wind presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for new industry development in the state,” said Sullivan. “The NJEDA and its partners across state government are prepared to help position businesses of all sizes to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in addition to co-sponsoring the event, remains fully engaged in supporting Governor Murphy’s goal of 3,500 MW of offshore wind by 2030 and transforming New Jersey into a 100 percent clean energy state by 2050.