The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) have signed a lease term for the New Jersey Wind Port in Salem County.
The agreement is for a term of up to 78 years on land.
The port will provide a location for essential staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind along the US east coast.
The port is located adjacent to PSEG’s nuclear generating site on an artificial island on the eastern shores of the Delaware River, southwest of the city of Salem.
With its expansive footprint, lack of height restrictions, and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean’s wind farm lease areas, the Wind Port is one of a select few ports on the East Coast that can house offshore wind turbine marshalling and manufacturing.
A key component of offshore wind turbine marshalling is the vertical assembly of turbine towers, which are hundreds of feet tall and cannot fit beneath bridges, power lines, and other naturally occurring barriers that would impose height restrictions.
“The New Jersey Wind Port is a transformational investment that will create hundreds of good jobs and drive billions of dollars of economic activity in South Jersey and throughout the State,” said NJEDA chief executive Tim Sullivan.
“The lease signing with the NJEDA is cause for celebration as the New Jersey Wind Port will provide a foundation for even more carbon-free energy in our region,” PSEG CEO Ralph LaRossa said.
“Alongside PSEG’s nuclear plants, the New Jersey Wind Port will establish South Jersey as the heart of New Jersey’s clean energy economy.
“By supporting the development of renewable offshore wind power, this lease and the facility to come will establish New Jersey as the destination for clean energy development, operations, training, skills, and innovation,” he added.
Offshore wind is a central component of Governor Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050.
As part of that plan, New Jersey has committed to producing 7500MW of offshore wind energy by 2035.
The New Jersey Wind Port site was selected in June 2020 after a 22-month assessment process, including engagement with industry, government, and environmental stakeholders.