New Jersey unveils $400m plans for first purpose-built US offshore wind port

New Jersey has announced plans to build the US’ first dedicated offshore wind port, an up-to-$400m investment that will support the state’s goal of having 7.5GW of sea-based capacity in commercial operation by 2035.

Governor Phil Murphy said the New Jersey Wind Port (NJWP) would create thousands of high-quality jobs, be a magnet for sector private investment and establish the state as the “national capital of offshore wind”.

“Offshore wind is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to not only protect our environment but also greatly expand our state economy in a way that has immediate impacts and paves the way for long-term growth,” said Murphy.

His administration anticipates that the port will also serve as a hub for other offshore wind projects in the US Atlantic, creating a significant economic growth opportunity for New Jersey. Through May, east coast states had committed to procure 29.2GW of offshore wind capacity.

Offshore wind is a central component of the state’s goal to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050. Plans call for building the wind port in two phases on an artificial island on the eastern shore of the Delaware River, southwest of the City of Salem. The site, owned by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the state’s major electric utility, is next to its Hope Creek nuclear power station.

The location is more than 8km (5 miles) from the nearest New Jersey residential area and was selected by Murphy’s administration after a 22-month assessment process.

Beginning in 2021, Phase 1 will develop a 12-hectare (30 acre) parcel to accommodate marshalling activities and a 10-hectare component manufacturing area.

Phase 2 adds at least another 61 hectares to accommodate expanded marshalling activities and extensive manufacturing facilities for turbine components like blades and nacelles.

State officials say the facility will be able to partially assemble wind turbines with components stretching 152.4 metres (500 feet) using wharves able to accommodate up to 800 tons weight.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which is leading development of the port, is considering a range of public, private, and public-private partnership financing options.

“By providing a location that can accommodate the industry’s manufacturing and marshalling needs, the NJWP will make New Jersey an international leader in offshore wind and a hub of the east coast wind industry,” said Liz Burdock, CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind, a Maryland-based national advocacy group.

“This is a concrete step toward an offshore wind supply chain born in the US.”

Orsted anticipates it will need up to two years to have the permits in place with the 90 GE Renewable Energy Haliade-X turbines spinning by 2024.

Last year, Orsted signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany’s EEW for the vendor to fabricate monopile foundations in southern New Jersey for Ocean Wind. At that time, the two sides were working out details involving a potential factory in or around the Port of Paulsboro, north the future NJWP.