New Jersey BPU Says ‘No’ to Fishermen’s Energy Offshore Wind Project

Fishermen’s Energy Atlantic City Windfarm (FACW) has been rejected once again by the New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities.

During a meeting yesterday, the Board unanimously voted against the construction of the proposed 25MW offshore wind farm. The Board explained that the project poses a large financial risk and that electric bills would have been a burden to consumers, since various subsidies and federal grants would be required to minimize them, the pressofAtlanticCity.com news site informs.

Last year, New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, which acts as a consumer advocate for energy prices, concluded that the project might not be that risky after all. The Counsel was initially against the project, too. However, after Fishermen’s Energy clarified the wind farm’s financial impact and needs, it decided to support the clean energy project.

FACW’s importance to the state

Recently, the FACW received support from a number of authorities and organizations, which stressed the significance of the offshore wind farm to New Jersey in delivering renewable energy and creating jobs.

The project would have undoubtedly contributed to the state’s Energy Master Plan, which sets a target for the development of 1,100 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2020.

In addition, the rejection of the Fishermen’s Energy offshore wind farm could turn away other developers that were looking into the development of their own wind farms off the New Jersey’s coast.

More than 10 developers expressed their interest in building offshore wind farms off the New Jersey’s coast, including some European companies, when the Federal Government proposed to offer leases for offshore wind development, NJ Spotlight writes.

Fishermen’s Energy is considering an appeal to the BPU’s decision, which can be filed to the New Jersey Superior Court.

Offshore WIND Staff, March 20, 2014