Lines run through Ocean City to Beesleys Point, where substation to be built
‘The awarding of these construction contracts marks significant milestones
in moving the state’s first offshore wind project forward.’
– Grant van Wyngaarden, head of procurement, Ørsted North America
ATLANTIC CITY – Ocean Wind 1 announced the award of a contract to install power transmission cables, one that will run through Ocean City to connect to the power grid at the former B.L. England generating plant in Beesleys Point.
Although the project to bring up to 99 massive wind turbines to a parcel 15 miles off the coast of Cape May and Atlantic counties is still in the review phase, Ocean Wind 1 made the announcement Monday afternoon.
Ocean Wind 1, a joint venture of the Danish firm Ørsted and PSEG, has proposed a wind turbine farm off the coast that would generate 1,100 MW of power, enough to serve 500,000 homes in New Jersey. It is one of a number of wind farm projects in the works off the coast of New Jersey, including a second one proposed called Ocean Wind 2.
If fully approved, Ocean Wind 1 is expected to be operational in 2024.
Wind power projects have the support of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and President Joe Biden in their push for clean energy to reduce climate change and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
There has been grassroots opposition to the turbines in communities along the Jersey shore, including in Ocean City, from those who fear the projects will harm tourism, recreational and commercial fishing, and have a detrimental impact on various forms of sea life, including North Atlantic right whales.
The wind turbines, which are 853 feet high, will be visible from shore communities, but proponents and opponents of the project differ on exactly how well they will impact the view.
Companies tout progress on jobs and clean energy
The Ocean Wind 1 press release said engineering, procurement, and construction contracts have been awarded to two firms, JINGOLI Power, LLC and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.
“The contracts include the installation of two high-voltage substations and nearly nine miles of underground cable that will connect the offshore wind farm to the onshore electric grid at two landfall points,” the release stated. “Project engineering began during the first quarter of 2022, with construction estimated to start in September 2023. Together, these contracts will support the creation of approximately 275 family-sustaining jobs in New Jersey, including more than 200 high-paying union construction jobs.”
“The awarding of these construction contracts marks significant milestones in moving the state’s first offshore wind project forward,” Grant van Wyngaarden, head of procurement, Ørsted North America, said in the release. “We are focused on doing all we can to meet the state’s timeline for delivering the Ocean Wind 1 project, hiring locally, creating job opportunities, and encouraging supply chain growth to help the offshore wind industry mature in New Jersey.”
JINGOLI Power will install an underground electric export cable from landfall to B.L. England, the site of the onshore electric substation in Upper Township, and engineer, procure and install a duct bank/manhole system that will house the export cables, according to the company, which said it is committed to providing job training and apprenticeships to local residents and area teens interested in STEM careers through its Competitive Edge program, which ensures project investment dollars remain in the community, building stronger local economies and workforces.
Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc., will install a substation in Upper Township that includes an interconnection to a nearby Atlantic City Electric substation, the release stated. The company will also install a substation at Oyster Creek, with an interconnection to a nearby First Energy substation, and install an underground export cable from the landfall to the onshore electric substation.
“Ocean Wind 1 proves that we don’t have to choose between creating good jobs and fighting climate change. We can do both,” Joseph R. Jingoli, Jr., CEO of JINGOLI and cofounder of JINGOLI Power, said in the release. “We’re extremely honored to have been selected by Ørsted and PSEG for this project, and we’re ready to get to work building this critical component of New Jersey’s clean energy economy.”
“Burns & McDonnell is honored to be selected by Ørsted and PSEG to deliver this critical project that will further drive the sustainable energy transition in the U.S.,” said Kowalik, chairman and CEO of Burns & McDonnell, said in the release. “With our firm’s experience in the continually expanding offshore wind market and our rapidly growing teams in New Jersey and the Northeast, we are well positioned to execute on this project that will create high-paying local union jobs and provide efficient, sustainable energy to New Jersey for years to come.”
“Offshore wind is critical to helping New Jersey achieve its clean energy ambitions and these agreements mark a significant step in the process,” said Lathrop Craig, PSEG vice president of Wind Development. “In addition to ensuring the project remains on track, it’s essential we ensure that a breadth of diverse, qualified and talented workers have access to the many opportunities that this new industry affords.”
“Ocean Wind 1 will be built under industry-leading project labor agreements and specific partnerships with local union organizations to ensure local union labor participation in all phases of construction,” said Dan Cosner, president of South Jersey Building Trades Council and Business Manager, IBEW Local 351. “Onshore activities for the project’s underground duct bank system, transmission, and substation facility are the first to begin and will source construction labor from local, New Jersey union hiring halls.”
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff