BOEM completes EIS for 1.1-GW Ocean Wind 1 off New Jersey

May 23 (Renewables Now) - The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed the environmental analysis of the proposed 1,100-MW Ocean Wind 1 project, set to create the first offshore wind farm in New Jersey.

The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyses the potential environmental impacts of the activities presented in the project’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) and is “a critical step to ensure the project can move forward,” the government agency said on Monday.

A notice of availability for the final EIS will be published in the Federal Register on May 26.

The Ocean Wind 1 project will consist of up to 98 GE Haliade-X turbines located about 15 miles (24 km) off the coast of southern New Jersey. If all of them are approved, the wind farm’s estimated capacity will range from 1,215 MW to 1,440 MW, BOEM said.

First power is expected to come out at the end of 2024, while full commissioning seen in 2025.

Ocean Wind 1 is jointly owned by Denmark’s Ørsted A/S (CPH:ORSTED) and US-based Public Service Enterprise Group Inc (NYSE:PEG). In January, Ørsted agreed to buy back a 25% equity stake from its partner and thus go back to owning 100% of the scheme.