PSEG to take 25% ownership in 1.1-GW New Jersey offshore wind farm –

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), parent company of Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island, this week announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Ørsted North America to acquire a 25% interest in the 1,100-megawatt Ocean Wind project.

The Ocean Wind project will generate clean, zero-carbon electricity from its location off the coast of southern New Jersey. Ocean Wind was selected by the state to be the first offshore wind farm as part of its intention to add 7,500 MW of offshore wind generating capacity by 2035; details of the award can be found in the June 2019 announcement from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

The Ocean Wind project could provide first power in late 2024, subject to federal permitting timelines, other development and construction activities, and final investment decisions by Ørsted and PSEG. Completion of the acquisition is anticipated to occur in the first half of 2021, subject to approval by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and other customary closing conditions.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Ørsted, a global leader in the development of offshore wind,” said PSEG Chairman, President and CEO Ralph Izzo. “As New Jersey’s first offshore wind project, Ocean Wind will lead the way for a productive first step into this forward-leaning industry, bringing with it new skills, jobs and carbon-free energy. Further, this investment in offshore wind energy is well-aligned with our company’s long-term clean energy strategy.”

“I’m delighted to extend our partnership with PSEG and welcome them on Ocean Wind, which will contribute significantly to New Jersey’s target of achieving 100% renewable power by 2050,” said Henrik Poulsen, CEO and President of Ørsted. On July 31, PSEG announced it would explore strategic alternatives related to PSEG Power’s non-nuclear generation fleet, accelerating PSEG’s transition to a primarily regulated and contracted business with a zero-carbon generation platform. In line with this strategy, PSEG continues to evaluate participation in additional offshore wind opportunities in New Jersey and other mid-Atlantic states.