Leading Light Wind Requests Pause in Offshore Wind Project
Leading Light Wind, a joint venture between Invenergy and co-developer energyRe, has asked the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities for a pause in the development of its offshore wind project near Long Beach Island while it seeks a supplier for turbine blades.
The company is currently facing challenges in securing a manufacturer for the turbine blades needed for the project, leaving it without a supplier at present.
Approved in January, Leading Light Wind’s project is one of two major offshore wind developments in New Jersey. The 2.4GW project is planned to be located approximately 65 km from the shore and will be constructed in two phases, each generating 1.2GW, with expected operational dates in 2031 and 2032. It is the largest state-approved wind project to date and will be among the furthest from the coast.
The second approved project, Attentive Energy’s 1,342MW development, is located about 75 km offshore and is also expected to be operational by 2031.
Leading Light Wind is now asking the board to temporarily halt the project until December 20 as they search for a new turbine blade supplier. Vestas’ turbines were deemed unsuitable for the project, and Siemens Gamesa, the only other manufacturer under consideration, raised the cost of its turbine offerings. Meanwhile, General Electric has opted not to supply turbines for the project.
Despite the requested pause, some progress will continue. Leading Light Wind plans to proceed with its survey program and continue preparing its construction and operations plan.
This development represents another setback for New Jersey’s offshore wind goals, following Ørsted’s recent decision to cancel two offshore wind projects off the state’s coast due to escalating costs.
Opponents of offshore wind, bolstered by recent turbine blade issues at Vineyard Wind off the coast of Massachusetts, were quick to express their satisfaction with Leading Light Wind’s difficulties.
“Yet another offshore wind developer is finding out for themselves that building massive power installations in the ocean is a fool’s errand, especially off the coast of New Jersey. We hope Leading Light follows the example of Ørsted and leaves New Jersey before any further degradation of the marine and coastal environment can take place,” said Protect Our Coast NJ.
Despite these challenges, New Jersey remains committed to reaching 11GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040. Additionally, the state has a broader goal of achieving 100% clean energy by 2035, focusing on wind, solar, and green electricity as key strategies to combat climate change.