ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The average wind farm (roughly 44 turbines) off of New Jersey’s shore is expected to create 4,300 jobs and add $702 million to the state’s economy. Jobs created may include manufacturing, transportation, construction, engineering, and operations and maintenance positions. These are high skilled, well-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced. Creating a low-carbon manufacturing supply chain will add jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation of materials. This new industry has the potential to be an economic engine for New Jersey and the region.
How many jobs can be created by an offshore wind farm?
How can we make offshore wind even cheaper?
Just as onshore renewable energy sources like wind and solar have seen substantial price declines over the last decade as the industries have grown and more clean energy has been installed, this trend is expected of offshore wind technologies. Experts expect that with more, larger projects with bigger turbines, the costs will decline. State policies to support the large-scale, long-term development of offshore wind will also help drive down costs by promoting manufacturing in the United States. Investments in research and development will reduce costs through the development of new technologies that increase efficiency.
Will offshore wind turbines affect shipping lanes?
The selection of wind energy areas and the siting of specific turbines are done in close consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard in order to address any potential conflicts with shipping lanes. The European experience with offshore wind turbines clearly demonstrates that responsibly-sited wind farms do not have an adverse impact on navigation and shipping.