Ørsted has entered into an agreement to sell a 25 per cent ownership interest in its 1,100 MW Ocean Wind offshore wind project to New Jersey’s Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG).
PSEG’s contribution will include both a conventional and tax equity investment in the project. The partners did not disclose the value of the transaction.
The completion of the acquisition is anticipated to occur in the first half of 2021, subject to approval by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and other customary closing conditions.
In June 2019, Ocean Wind was selected by The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) to build New Jersey’s first large-scale offshore wind farm.
In addition to the Ocean Wind partnership, Ørsted and PSEG are joint venture partners on the Garden State Offshore Energy lease area.
“I’m delighted to extend our partnership with PSEG and welcome them on Ocean Wind, which will contribute significantly to New Jersey’s target of achieving 100% renewable power by 2050,” Henrik Poulsen , CEO and President of Ørsted, said.
”In addition to clean energy, Ocean Wind will bring jobs and industrial development to the Garden State during development and construction and throughout its operational lifetime. I look forward to delivering this flagship renewable energy project to New Jersey in close cooperation with PSEG.”
The Ocean Wind project could provide first power in late 2024, subject to federal permitting timelines, other development and construction activities, and final investment decisions by Ørsted and PSEG.
Ørsted will be responsible for developing, constructing, and operating Ocean Wind’s offshore power generation and transmission assets.
“As New Jersey’s first offshore wind project, Ocean Wind will lead the way for a productive first step into this forward-leaning industry, bringing with it new skills, jobs, and carbon-free energy,” Ralph Izzo , Chairman, President and CEO of PSEG, says:
”Further, this investment in offshore wind energy is well-aligned with our company’s long-term clean energy strategy. We’re excited to continue our close relationship with Ørsted, combining each organisation’s expertise to achieve powerful benefits for energy consumers and the state, and we look forward to future opportunities throughout New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic.”
Located 24 kilometres off the coast of Atlantic City, Ocean Wind will feature the 12 MW GE Haliade-X turbines which will generate enough energy to power more than half a million New Jersey homes.
Ørsted plans to establish an operations and maintenance (O&M) base in Atlantic City that will provide permanent, high-skilled jobs during the projects’ 30+ years operational lifetime.
Ocean Wind will receive a first year Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) price of USD 98.10 per MWh generated, with a 2 per cent increase per year during the 20-year term of the OREC.