U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper have announced that 343,833 acres offshore New Jersey will be offered for commercial wind energy development in a competitive lease sale on November 9, 2015.
If fully developed, the New Jersey Wind Energy Area could support at least 3,400MW. The New Jersey Wind Energy Area will be auctioned as two leases. Lease OCS-A 0498 (South Lease Area) consists of 160,480 acres; and Lease OCS-A 0499 (North Lease Area) consists of 183,353 acres. BOEM will consider monetary and nonmonetary factors (i.e., whether a bidder has obtained a Power Purchase Agreement or New Jersey Offshore Renewable Energy Certificate award) in determining the winners. Thirteen companies have been prequalified to participate in the auction at this point.
