Invenergy and energyRE’s New York Bight offshore project Leading Light Wind has submitted a bid to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for the state’s third competitive offshore wind solicitation.
Leading Light Wind proposes to deliver up to 2400MW of clean energy to the state – advancing public health, resilience, job creation, energy independence, and economic development benefits across New Jersey.
The offshore wind project will sit more than 40 miles off the coast and could power up to 1 million New Jersey homes and improve health outcomes by offsetting over 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually during its operation.
Leading Light Wind said it would also support thousands of jobs over its operational life and represents over US$3bn in economic development benefits for the Garden State, including transformational offshore wind infrastructure and supply chain investments.
Bryan Schueler, senior executive vice president, and construction business leader for Invenergy, said: “Leading Light Wind exemplifies Invenergy’s dedication to American-led energy innovation and our unmatched ability to increase US competitiveness in the offshore wind market.
“With strong partners in New Jersey, we are committed to delivering the benefits of the clean energy economy to Garden State residents for generations to come.”
Ryan Brown, chief operating officer for energyRe, added: “Leading Light Wind is ready to build out a world-leading domestic offshore wind industry with American-led ingenuity and expertise.
“Our proposal for New Jersey represents critical investments in energy infrastructure, local resiliency, and a just transition to a green economy.
“energyRe is proud to help chart a clean energy future for the Garden State.”
Leading Light Wind is proposing supply chain and infrastructure investments that include localising a wind turbine generator (WTG) tower manufacturing facility and performing marshalling activities at the New Jersey Wind Port.
The bid also includes the expansion of the EEW American Offshore Structures monopile manufacturing facility and development of an in-state operations and maintenance port.
Furthermore, Leading Light Wind plans include a battery storage option that would provide 253MW of advanced energy storage to facilitate grid and ratepayer benefits, advancing New Jersey’s ambitious 2GW energy storage target.
To support local workforce development, Leading Light Wind signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with five New Jersey labor unions that prioritises union construction for the project and supports lifelong career opportunities in the offshore wind sector.
The MOU also endorses hiring and training practices to promote a diverse, next-generation workforce.
As a part of Leading Light Wind’s larger community benefits programme, the project has also formed strategic partnerships with several educational, career, and workforce institutions across the Garden State.