ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A New Jersey offshore wind project is requesting a second delay, citing continued challenges in securing a manufacturer for crucial turbine equipment amid ongoing volatility in the renewable energy sector.
Leading Light Wind had previously secured a pause on its project from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, acknowledging the difficulties in sourcing a manufacturer for the turbine blades necessary to generate electricity.
The initial pause expired on December 20, and the company has now asked the board for an additional extension, this time through May 20.
While the request did not explicitly mention issues with finding a blade manufacturer, it highlighted significant price fluctuations in the offshore wind equipment market, emphasizing the need for additional time to address these challenges.
Wes Jacobs, the project director, stated, “This additional time will allow us to continue to navigate ongoing market shifts and supply chain challenges, as we work to advance development of this important project for New Jersey.”
The board has not provided a timeline for when it may consider the extension request.
The project, developed by Invenergy and energyRE, aims to establish up to 100 turbines located 40 miles off Long Beach Island, generating enough power to sustain 1 million homes.
Approved by the state utilities board in January 2024, Leading Light quickly encountered setbacks when GE Vernova, one of the major turbine manufacturers, announced its decision not to produce the type of turbine Invenergy planned to use. Subsequently, a turbine from Vestas was deemed unsuitable, and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy informed Invenergy of increased costs in June.
Invenergy has committed millions of dollars to this project, which includes a $105 million investment toward building monopile foundations in Paulsboro.
Critics of the offshore wind initiative point to this latest delay as further evidence of economic challenges facing the industry, raising concerns particularly with the potential return of political figures opposed to offshore wind initiatives.
Current preliminary approvals are also in place for two other offshore wind projects in New Jersey. Attentive Energy Two, a collaboration between TotalEnergies and Corio Generation, aims to power over 650,000 homes, located 42 miles off Seaside Heights. Atlantic Shores, in partnership with Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC, is expected to provide energy for 700,000 homes, situated about 8.7 miles off the coast.
While some advocates remain optimistic about the industry’s future, emphasizing the strong fundamentals of offshore wind energy in New Jersey, they acknowledge a range of challenges that could impact progress in this emerging sector.
