BOEM to review 1.5 GW offshore wind project in USA

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind projects in New Jersey, USA.

The Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (ASOW) is a 50:50 partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America for the development of offshore wind projects in the Lease Area. Located approximately 10-20 miles off the coast of New Jersey between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light, the site is around a 102,124-acre (413.3 sq km) Wind Turbine Area. There are two projects under development- 1510 MW offshore wind farm (Project 1) and Project 2.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has awarded ASOW a contract to develop 1,5 GW in offshore wind energy, enough to power up to over 700,000 homes. The project will include between 105-136 wind turbines generators, 5 offshore substations, a permanent meteorological tower and 3 temporary meteorological and oceanographic buoys. The farm is designed to maximize energy production while minimizing effects on existing marine uses. The project is expected to be operational for up to 30 years. 

The NOI has started a 30-day public comment period with a deadline of November 01, 2021. More information on the project's construction and operation plan and the NOI is available here.