The planned Leading Light Wind offshore wind farm, off the coast of New Jersey, has hit a monthslong delay due to challenges in securing turbine blades. The project, set to be located 40 miles off Long Beach Island and comprising up to 100 wind turbines, is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately one million homes.
However, Invenergy, the power company behind the development, requested earlier in September that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities pause the project until late December. The delay comes as the company struggles to secure turbine blades from three different suppliers.
“We are committed in New Jersey to our offshore wind goals,” Christine Guhl-Sadovy, president of the utilities board, said. “This action will allow Invenergy to find a suitable wind turbine supplier. We look forward to delivering on the project that will help grow our clean energy workforce and contribute to clean energy generation for the state.”
GE Vernova, the project’s initial supplier, has experienced multiple incidents this year involving turbine blade failures, with debris spilling into the ocean both in the U.S. and internationally.
The manufacturer ultimately informed Leading Light Wind developers just three weeks after the project’s approval that it would no longer build the specific turbine type required.
Turbines from the company Vestas had been considered as a substitute, but were later deemed unsuitable for the project’s needs. Meanwhile, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the last available supplier, has significantly raised the cost of its turbines, adding another hurdle to the project’s progress.
Invenergy stated that the pause would give them more time to coordinate with supply chain partners to acquire the necessary materials while continuing to advance other development activities during the delay.
This setback is the latest in a series of challenges for New Jersey’s offshore wind ambitions. Last year, two projects from wind energy giant Ørsted were canceled due to rising costs.
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Author: Jack Aylmer
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