Representatives from offshore wind farm developer Orsted will host an informational community meeting to introduce their Ocean Wind project to local residents on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center in Ocean City.
Attendees will hear an Ocean Wind project overview, then visit and interact with Orsted employees and consultants who will be on hand to discuss aspects of the company’s plans to build an 1,100-megawatt offshore wind farm that will power approximately more than half a million New Jersey homes. Ocean Wind will be located 15 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.
Construction is expected to commence in the early 2020s, with the wind farm operational in 2024.
Ocean Wind will contribute significantly to the state’s ambitious renewable energy goal of supplying more than 1.5 million New Jersey homes with offshore wind power by 2030, the company said in a press release. At 1,100 megawatts, Ocean Wind is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs annually through development and three-year construction cycle.
“We look forward to meeting and talking with residents about our plans for Ocean Wind,” said Kris Ohleth, senior stakeholder relations manager for Orsted. “This is a brand new industry making its debut in New Jersey, so we expect and welcome lots of questions and comments. We are also eager to share information about ways the development of the offshore wind industry in New Jersey will help spark local economic opportunities.”
Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the community meeting in Ocean City, with a project overview presentation beginning at 6:15 p.m. The Howard S. Stainton Senior Center is located inside the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. Parking is free.
Orsted U.S. Offshore Wind delivers clean, renewable energy along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. It operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm, and has been awarded over 2,900 megawatts of capacity through six projects. It is jointly headquartered in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, and employs more than 100 people.
