PSEG Renewable Generation and Winergy Power Holdings have submitted a proposal to the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy (OCE) to build a 350 MW wind farm about 16 miles off the shore of south Jersey.
The wind farm would be called Garden State Offshore Energy and, subject to receipt of all required permits, financing and other conditions, could be fully operational in 2013.
The project is expected to consist of 96 turbines arranged in a rectangular grid off the coast of Cape May and Atlantic counties. The wind farm will be located as far offshore as commercially feasible to make it virtually invisible from land.
‘We are committed to maximizing the positive benefits of this clean energy project while limiting any negative impact that this might have on the Jersey shore communities or on the environment,’ says Nelson Garcez, vice president of PSEG Renewable Generation. ‘We believe that to see the wind turbines from land, you would need to use potent binoculars.’
If chosen by the OCE, the project is expected to apply for permits and conduct additional feasibility and environmental studies. The decision to build as well as final location, design and construction schedules could be affected by these studies, according to PSEG.
The companies announced that they will be forming a community advisory committee made up of local residents, elected and tourism officials as well as community, environmental and local business leaders.
