ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday approved the proposed Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm in New Jersey, giving a major boost to the project, which would be the state’s first.
The project still needs additional federal approval for the construction and operating plan, along with two state permits, before construction can begin.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said the department’s decision marks the ninth offshore wind project approved under the Biden administration, authorizing 13 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 5 million homes.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is building momentum for our clean energy future every day, and today’s milestone is another step toward our ambitious goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore energy by 2030,” she said in a statement. “Our clean energy future is now a reality. We’re tackling climate change, fueling job growth, and promoting equitable economic opportunity for all communities.”
The two-phase project would be built between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island in southern New Jersey. It would generate 2,800 megawatts, enough to power 1 million homes.
“This milestone brings us one step closer to delivering New Jersey’s first offshore wind projects, and for the state to reach its ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2035,” Atlantic Shores CEO Joris Veldhoven said in a statement. “We recognize the significance of this milestone and are excited to work with our supply chain partners to continue investing and creating high-paying, union jobs in the near term.”
Atlantic Shores, which received preliminary approval from New Jersey utility regulators in 2021, is now close to chasing a previously approved project that would have been New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm. Danish wind developer Orsted was poised to begin construction of two offshore wind farms but scrapped the project in October 2023 after deciding it would not be profitable.
The Interior Department said the Atlantic Shores project would be about 8.7 miles from shore at its closest point. But the company has previously said it will not build all the way to that line and that the closest turbines will be at least 12.8 miles from shore.
Atlantic Shores is a joint partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC.
The Ministry of the Interior has approved the construction of 195 wind turbines as part of the project; the company had intended to build a maximum of 200.
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