A New Jersey offshore wind project is facing delays as it struggles to find a manufacturer for crucial equipment. Leading Light Wind has requested a second delay from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, citing difficulties in finding a manufacturer for the blades needed to generate electricity. The project, which would be built 40 miles off Long Beach Island, aims to consist of up to 100 turbines capable of powering 1 million homes. The project, led by Chicago-based Invenergy and New York-based energyRE, was approved by the state utilities board in January 2024.
The initial delay was granted due to challenges in finding a suitable manufacturer for the turbine blades. Despite investments of millions of dollars into the project, the company has struggled with setbacks from major turbine manufacturers. The industry has faced criticism from opponents, who argue that offshore wind projects are not economically feasible, especially with the return of Donald Trump, a known offshore wind opponent, to the White House. However, there are two other preliminarily approved offshore wind projects in New Jersey, including Attentive Energy Two and Atlantic Shores, which have the potential to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
The delays in the Leading Light Wind project have raised concerns about the viability of the offshore wind industry, particularly in the face of market shifts and supply chain challenges. Despite these obstacles, industry advocates remain optimistic about the future of offshore wind in New Jersey. The executive director of the New Jersey Offshore Wind Alliance, Paulina O’Connor, believes that the fundamentals of offshore wind in the state are strong, and that challenges can be overcome to advance the industry. It remains to be seen how the project will progress and whether it will receive the necessary approvals to move forward.
The federal government has also approved the Atlantic Shores project, which is a joint partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF-RE Offshore Development LLC. This project aims to generate enough energy to power 700,000 homes and would be located approximately 8.7 miles from the shore at its closest point. While the industry may face challenges, particularly in the current political climate, some observers believe that existing projects and those with government approvals may be able to navigate these obstacles and continue to advance the offshore wind industry in New Jersey. The future of offshore wind in the state remains promising despite the current challenges faced by projects such as Leading Light Wind.
