QAZAQ GREEN. The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Tuesday officially approved the construction and operations plan for the Atlantic Shores South Offshore Wind Projects, marking a major milestone in the Biden-Harris administration's goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. This approval follows the Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision in July 2024 and represents the final step required from BOEM.

BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein expressed the administration's commitment to advancing offshore wind projects like Atlantic Shores South, emphasizing the potential economic and environmental benefits. "Projects like this will create good-paying jobs, boost economic growth, and contribute to combating the climate crisis," Klein stated. The two wind facilities are expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts (2.8-GW) of clean energy, which is enough to power nearly one million homes.

The Atlantic Shores South project spans two leases located approximately 8.7 miles offshore from New Jersey. The approved plan allows for up to 197 wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower. The subsea transmission cables could make landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt, delivering clean electricity to the New Jersey grid.

In approving the plan, BOEM incorporated feedback from Tribes, government agencies, ocean users, and other stakeholders to minimize potential impacts on marine life and key ocean industries like fishing.

Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has approved over 15 gigawatts of clean energy from ten offshore wind projects, enough to power 5.25 million homes. The administration has also overseen five offshore wind lease auctions, including record-breaking sales off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, as well as the first-ever sales off the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Looking ahead, additional lease sales are scheduled through 2028.