Wind power in New Jersey

In October 2010, the North American Offshore Wind Conference was held in Atlantic City, site of the US's first on-shore coastal facility.

[1] Despite incentives to spur the industry in the state, development initially lagged with the cancellation of the planned Fisherman's Energy offshore wind project.

[2] In 2018, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order to revive subsidies for wind power in the state.

[10] In July 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved two projects which would bring the state's committed windpower capacity to over 3,000 MW.

[22][23][24] However, Board of Public Utilities, which is charged with implementing key aspects of the legislation, did not finalize all of the regulations necessary to carry out the policy during the Christie administration.

The BOEM is responsible for leasing areas of the Outer Continental Shelf which are under federal jurisdiction for energy resource utilization.

[28] In July 2014, the federal Department of the Interior and the BOEM proposed sale of leases for nearly 344,000 acres (139,000 ha) covering an area about 7.000 nautical miles (12,964 m) off the coast of Atlantic City.

In October 2010, North American Offshore Wind Conference was held in the city and included tours of the facility and potential sites for further development.

Oil giant Shell is abandoning its investment in the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project, citing market challenges, rising competition and regulatory uncertainty under President Donald Trump's administration.

In May 2011, Cape May-based Fisherman's Energy submitted an application to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) under the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act for a demonstration project to build six wind turbines 2.5 miles (4.0 km) off the coast at Atlantic City called Fisherman's Atlantic City Windfarm.

[61] In March 2014, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities rejected a proposal to build the off-shore wind farm, citing financial irregularities and viability.

[67] In August 2014, the Superior Court of New Jersey's Appellate Division order the BPU to reconsider its decision in light of the grant and the financial plan presented by Fisherman's.

[73][74][75][76] A single turbine as part of the Raritan Bayshore Regional Sewarage Authority facility in Union Beach has been mired in litigation and faces other zoning regulatory hurdles and community opposition,[77] but was permitted by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

[79][80] The windfarm was part of a larger plan to expand the container port on the manmade peninsula to accommodate post-panamax ships.

[83] In 2018, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order to revive subsidies for wind power in the state.

[11] Ørsted canceled both projects on October 31, 2023, due to poor financial outlook caused by inflation and supply chain disruptions.