Ørsted officials to answer questions about wind farm project in public meeting Nov. 6 in resort
OCEAN CITY – Ocean Wind 1 will have an open house Nov. 6 in Ocean City where company officials say they will answer any questions area residents have.
Ocean Wind 1 is New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm developed by Ørsted, a Danish company, and PSEG. They in-person open house – with a virtual option – is “to update residents of Ocean City and other communities on the status of the offshore wind farm and answer any questions they may have,” according to a release from the company.
Ocean Wind and other offshore wind farm projects have the support of Gov. Phil Murphy, who has proposed getting 7,500 megawatts of clean energy for the state, and the majority of the state Legislature, but has run into opposition from a number of local officials, residents and a citizens group (protectourcoastnj.com).
Ocean Wind 1 is proposing to build up to 99 massive wind turbines, each some 853 feet tall, on a plot designated by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The plot is 15 miles off the coast, from just north of Atlantic City down to Stone Harbor, but the turbines would be visible along the horizon.
Ørsted has proposed connecting the wind farm to the southern New Jersey power grid at two locations, one at the former Oyster Creek nuclear plant in Ocean County and the other at the former B.L. England generating plant in Beesleys Point, Upper Township. Ørsted has proposed using rights of way through Ocean City to run the cables from off the coast along Roosevelt Boulevard to Beesleys Point.
Ocean Wind 2 also has been proposed on the same site off the coast, but extending farther south. Other wind farms have been proposed on parcels off the coast north of Atlantic County to Ocean County.
Ocean Wind 1 would generate 1,100 megawatts of power, enough for 500,000 homes, according to the company.
The route through Ocean City has been a point of contention by some local officials, but this summer the Legislature approved a bill, signed by the governor, to give the decision-making power over the rights of way for projects such as this to the state rather than local communities.
Critics also worry that having the wind farm off the coast will be a detriment to the local economy and real estate values, fearing that although the turbines are 15 miles away, they will still be visible.
The company’s website, oceanwind.com, offers a series of photographs with the turbines added in showing how they would appear from shore from Brigantine to Stone Harbor.
The Open House
The following information about the open house was provided by Ørsted.
It will be Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Ocean City Music Pier, located at 825 Boardwalk (Moorlyn Terrace), Ocean City. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and running until approximately 1 p.m., according to the company.
Attendees will be invited into the auditorium for a welcome and short project overview, followed by a question-and-answer session comprised of subject matter experts. Topics include:
– Overall project and general information on offshore wind
– The benefits of clean energy in combatting climate change and creating jobs
– Environmental, and federal/state permitting
– Marine affairs and fisheries
– Onshore transmission
“We look forward to sharing Ocean Wind 1 updates and information while also taking audience and on-line questions,” said Maddy Urbish, head of Government Affairs & Policy, NJ, Ørsted. “We are making participation as easy as possible for anyone interested in Ocean Wind 1 to learn as much as they’d like about the project in whatever format is most comfortable for them.”
Socially distanced seating and a mask request will be in place to protect the health and well-being of all involved. Those who choose to participate virtually can register to watch the event at ocw1openhouse.eventbrite.com. Questions will be accepted virtually.
For more information on Ocean Wind, go to OceanWind.com/resources-and-faqs.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff