An offshore wind power project proposed for New Jersey would have 157 turbines and be located 8.4 miles (13.5 kilometers) from shore at its closest point, data released by the federal government Friday shows.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said it will begin an environmental review Monday of the Atlantic Shores project. It released key details of the project in announcing the environmental review.
New Jersey energy regulators approved Atlantic Shores’ 1,510 megawatt project in 2021. It would generate enough electricity to power more than 700,000 homes. It is one of three offshore wind projects currently pending in New Jersey, which is trying to become the East Coast leader in offshore wind energy. The state Board of Public Utilities in January chose Attentive Energy LLC and Leading Light Wind LLC to build offshore wind projects.
Atlantic Shores also would include eight offshore substations, one permanent meteorological tower, and two temporary ocean buoys, for a total of up to 168 offshore structures.