BOEM issues key approvals for offshore wind projects in New Jersey and Massachusetts

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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a record of decision on the Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Farm Project and approved the New England Wind Construction and Operations Plan.

Atlantic Shores South will generate up to 2.8 GW and is being developed by Shell New Energies and EDF Renewables, while New England Wind will generate up to 2.6 GW and is being developed by Avangrid. Both projects consist of two separate wind farms – New England Wind 1 and 2 and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2.

Once completed, New England Wind will supply electricity to Massachusetts and Atlantic Shores South will supply electricity to New Jersey.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s approval of New England Wind’s COP authorizes the project to begin construction. BOEM’s approval of Atlantic Shores South completes the federal environmental review process and clears the way for the project to receive COP approval.

During the environmental impact assessment process, stakeholders provided input on the potential environmental impacts of the Atlantic Shores South project, which “led to the identification of measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts of the project, including visual impacts and potential impacts on marine life and existing ocean uses, such as fishing.”

BOEM said it will require these funds as a condition of approval of the Atlantic Shores South construction and operation plan.

Last week, BOEM also approved the August sale of two offshore wind leases in the mid-Atlantic that could collectively provide up to 6.3 GW of power.

“BOEM’s continued efforts to move projects through the regulatory process are driving the offshore wind industry forward,” said Sam Salustro, vice president of strategic communications for Oceantic Network. “The Atlantic Shores South record of decision marks the agency’s ninth approval, totaling more than 13 GW of offshore wind in development. It also provides the state of New Jersey with a project ready to go that is expected to provide jobs, investment and clean energy.”

The American Clean Energy Association also praised BOEM in a statement regarding the approval of New England Wind, with ACP Vice President of Offshore Wind Anne Reynolds saying the group “applauds BOEM’s continued commitment to advancing offshore wind as an important and critical energy source for the nation’s future.”