Atlantic Shores South

ASOW Leases Project 1 and 2 Map
ASOW Leases Project 1 and 2 Map

What’s New?

On Oct. 1, 2024, BOEM announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which authorizes construction and operation of two wind energy facilities, Atlantic Shores South Project 1 and Atlantic Shores South Project 2. Together, these projects could have a total capacity of up to 2,800 megawatts of clean, renewable energy that BOEM estimates could power close to one million homes each year. The projects are approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. To provide energy to New Jersey, the approved COP includes up to 197 total positions for wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt, New Jersey.

Please see the Construction and Operations Plan tab for more information.  

Joint Record of Decision

On July 2, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project (Atlantic Shores South). The Atlantic Shores South Project consists of two wind energy facilities (Project 1 and Project 2) located approximately 8.7 statute miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. Together, Project 1 and Project 2 expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power close to one million homes with clean renewable energy. The Record of Decision (ROD) documents the decision to approve the construction of up to 195 wind turbine generators.

The following documents are available for your viewing.

On September 26, 2024, BOEM published a Record of Decision Errata on its website to fix a technical correction. The errata clarifies that the Department of the Interior’s selected alternative also includes the removal of a single Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) location, identified as AX01 and located approximately 150 to 200 ft (46 to 61 m) from the observed Fish Haven (Atlantic City Artificial Reef Site). While WTG AX01 was identified as removed in the description of the preferred alternative in the Final EIS, BOEM inadvertently omitted a specific statement in the ROD noting that position was removed from the selected layout. In addition, the published ROD inadvertently identified WTG AX01 as being subject to micrositing instead of removal. In publishing this errata on the website, BOEM is conforming the specific description of the selected alternative to the Final EIS and making clear that a total of 3 WTG locations will be removed from the Project. Specific locations for WTG removal and micrositing are clarified in a footnote in the ROD errata.

Atlantic Shores Project Final Memorandum of Agreement June 2024

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

On May 23, 2024, BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed the proposed Atlantic Shores South Wind Project, located approximately 8.7 miles from the New Jersey shoreline at its closest point. The following documents are available for your viewing.

On June 25, 2024, BOEM published an Errata on its website that included a correction to the Chapter 2, Chapter 3, and Appendix G: Mitigation and Monitoring Table G-2. None of these edits or corrections are substantive or affect the analysis or conclusions in the FEIS.

 

Lease OCS-A 0499 was auctioned on Nov. 9, 2015, through a competitive lease sale and executed with US Wind, Inc in March 2016.

On Nov. 2018, BOEM received an application from U.S. Wind Inc. to assign 100% of commercial lease OCS-A 0499 to EDF Renewables Development, Inc. BOEM approved the assignment on December 4, 2018. 

On April 29, 2019, BOEM received an application from EDF Renewables Development, Inc. to assign 100% of commercial lease OCS-A 0499 to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC. BOEM approved the assignment on August 13, 2019. 

On Sept. 2021, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC requested to assign 100 percent interest of the southern portion of OCS-A 0499 (which contains the Atlantic Shores South Project 1 and 2 areas) to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC, respectively, with each entity having a 50 percent interest.

On April 18, 2022, BOEM approved the request and issued a partial assignment (i.e., segregation) of lease OCS-A 0499.  The northern portion of OCS-A 0499 is retained by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC and given a new lease number, OCS-A 0549.  The southern portion retains the original lease number assigned by BOEM: OCS-A 0499 and is assigned to Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC.

Lease OCS-A 0499 is commonly referred to as ASOW South and Lease OCS-A 0549 is commonly referred to as ASOW North for easier reference.

On July 15, 2024, Atlantic Shores Offshores Wind Project 1, LLC and Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC applied to BOEM for a lease segregation and partial assignment. The segregation and assignment was approved on Sept. 30, 2024. The western part of the lease was assigned and retained by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC and keeps the original lease number. The eastern part of the lease was assigned and retained by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC, with a new lease number (OCS-A 0570).  

On Sept. 30, 2024, BOEM granted the easements associated with Lease OCS-A 0499 and OCS-A 0570. In association with the granting of the easements, Addendum A and Addendum D for the leases were revised.  

On March 17, 2016 BOEM received a request from the Lessee, US Wind, Inc to extend the preliminary term for commercial lease OCS-A 0499, from March 1, 2017, to March 1, 2018. BOEM approved the request on June 10, 2016.

On January 29, 2018 BOEM received a second request from the Lessee, US Wind, Inc  to extend the preliminary term for commercial lease OCS-A 0499, from March 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019. BOEM approved the request on February 14, 2018. 

On December 8, 2019, the Lessee, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC submitted Site Assessment Plan (SAP) for installation, operations and decommissioning of up to two  meteorological buoys.  On April 8, 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the SAP.  

For additional information on the SAP, please find the approved SAP and conditions of approval below:

On March 25, 2021, Atlantic Shores submitted a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) to BOEM for the southern portion of Lease OCS-A 0499. On May 1, 2024, Atlantic Shores South submitted an updated COP.  This version of the COP informs the basis for the Final Environmental Impacts Statement (EIS).

Atlantic Shores South Construction and Operations Plan and Appendices

In its COP, Atlantic Shores is proposing the construction and operation of two distinct offshore wind energy projects. Combined, the COP approves up to 195 total wind turbine generators (WTGs) (between 105-136 WTGs for the first facility and between 64-95 WTGs for the second facility), up to 10 offshore substations (also called “electrical service platforms”), one  meteorological (met) tower, up to four temporary meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) buoys inter-array cables, up to two onshore substations, one operations and maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission cables making landfall at two New Jersey locations: the Atlantic Landfall site in Atlantic City, New Jersey and/or Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt, New Jersey.  The wind turbine generators, offshore substations, array cables, and substation interconnector cables would be located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) approximately 8.7 miles from the New Jersey shoreline at is closest point. The offshore export cables would be buried below the seabed of both the OCS and New Jersey state waters. 

On May 23, 2024, BOEM announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). See the “Environmental Review” tab for more information on the FEIS and record of decision (ROD).  

On Oct. 1, 2024, BOEM announced its approval of the Atlantic Shores South COP, which authorizes construction and operation of two wind energy facilities, Atlantic Shores South Project 1 and Atlantic Shores South Project 2. Together, these projects could have a total capacity of up to 2,800 megawatts of clean, renewable energy that BOEM estimates could power close to one million homes each year. To provide energy to New Jersey, the approved COP includes up to 197 total positions for wind turbine generators, offshore substations, and a meteorological tower, with subsea transmission cables potentially making landfall in Atlantic City and Sea Girt.

On Sept. 30, 2024, the Atlantic Shores South Project was segregated and assigned into two leases, Atlantic Shores South Project 1 (OCS-A 0499) and Atlantic Shores South Project 2 (OCS-A 0570). The western part of the lease was assigned and retained by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1, LLC and keeps the original lease number. The eastern part of the lease was assigned and retained by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 2, LLC, with a new lease number (OCS-A 0570). 
 

Key Observation Points with visual simulations in the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Visual Impact Assessment
Figure 2: Key Observation Points with visual simulations in the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Visual Impact Assessment

Visual Impact Assessment 

The visual impact assessment includes photo simulations from numerous Key Observation Points (KOPs) and provides a detailed analysis of the potential visibility of the proposed Project and differences in landscape visual quality with and without the Project in place.

Photo simulations of the proposed Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Farm from all KOPs may be viewed or downloaded in the following:

Cumulative Effects Simulations may be viewed or downloaded from the DEIS Appendix H- Attachment 1 Cumulative Photo simulations.  by KOP (see figure 2 cumulative effects simulation Key Observation Points).  

Photo simulations of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Alternatives and the corresponding Cumulative Effects Full Buildout Scenario as seen from may be viewed or downloaded from the following links:

Key Observation Points with visual simulations in the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Visual Impact Assessment
Figure 2: Cumulative effects simulation Key Observation Points

As part of the COP review, a series of time-lapse videos that depict daytime and nighttime conditions under a variety of lighting conditions (including nighttime), cloud cover, and weather scenarios. To represent nighttime conditions, the aviation obstruction lights were animated to flash at a rate of 30 flashes per minute. As discussed in Appendix M (Visual Impact Assessment) of the COP, based on past flight data and the use of Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS), the aviation obstruction lights associated with the project would only be activated for a total of approximately 3.5 hours over a one-year period.  Links to the video simulations provided below are also in Table 2.3-1 of the visual impact assessment Appendix M. Note: If viewing on a computer monitor, use the highest screen resolution available. The simulation is at the proper perspective when viewed at a distance of approximately twice the image height. 

Cumulative Historic Resources Visual Effects Analysis (CHRVEA) 

The BOEM Cumulative Historic Resources Visual Effects Analysis (CHRVEA) provides an assessment of the Project’s contribution to cumulative visual effects on historic properties when combined with other reasonably foreseeable offshore wind energy development activities in the area. 

Appendix C of the BOEM Cumulative Historic Resources Visual Effects Analysis (CHRVEA) provides cumulative photo simulations for the project when combined with other reasonably foreseeable offshore wind development. Collectively, the views illustrate the full range of viewing angles, lighting and weather conditions, and viewing distances from open, publicly accessible vantage points throughout the entire potentially affected area. The CHRVEA and associated appendices can be accessed here: 

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Scoping

On Sept. 30, 2021, BOEM published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind projects (Project 1 and Project 2) offshore New Jersey. The following documents are available for viewing:

The publication of the NOI initiated the public scoping process and opened a 30-day public comment period, which ended on November 1, 2021. During this time, BOEM held public scoping meetings and accepted comments. During the public comment period, BOEM hosted three virtual scoping meetings where the public could learn more about project, ask questions, and provide oral testimony. 

The virtual scoping meetings were held on:

The public scoping process was used to identify issues and potential alternatives for consideration in the EIS. Following the comment period, BOEM developed a scoping report and use the comments received during the public scoping process to help identify important resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable alternatives for consideration, and potential mitigating measures that should be analyzed in the Atlantic Shores Draft EIS.

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 

On May 15, 2023 BOEM announced the availability for the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Atlantic Shores South Wind Project. BOEM has prepared a DEIS for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project.  The following documents are available for your viewing:

Visit the Atlantic Shores South Permitting Dashboard for additional information on the environmental review and permitting processes and timeline.

During the comment period, BOEM held two in-person and two virtual public meetings, where the public could learn more about the review process, EIS schedule, potential impacts from the proposed project, and proposals to reduce potential impacts. Participants were able to provide comments on the Draft EIS.

See “Public Meetings” below and the Atlantic Shores South Virtual Meeting Room for more information.

The input received via this process will inform preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS).  

Public Meetings

The public meetings were held on the following dates and times. 

In-person public meetings: 

The in-person meetings followed an informal open house format with a series of Project information posters staffed by BOEM subject matter experts who shared information with individual attendees. Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions one-on-one of BOEM subject matter experts and to submit oral and written comments for the record.

  • Wed., Jun. 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET
    Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, 151 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 
  • Thu., Jun. 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET
    Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Virtual public meetings:

  • Mon., Jun. 26, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET: Recording
  • Wed., Jun. 28, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET: Recording

Virtual public meeting format: During each virtual meeting, BOEM provided an overview presentation, after which members of the public made formal oral public statements for the record. All comments and questions received during the public meeting will be part of the public record. 

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

On May 23, 2024, BOEM  announced  the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed the proposed Atlantic Shores South Project (Project 1 and Project 2), located approximately 8.7 miles from the New Jersey shoreline at is closest point. The following documents are available for your viewing.

On June 25, 2024, BOEM published an Errata on its website that included a correction to the Chapter 2, Chapter 3, and Appendix G: Mitigation and Monitoring Table G-2. None of these edits or corrections are substantive or affect the analysis or conclusions in the FEIS.

Atlantic Shores Project Final Memorandum of Agreement June 2024

Joint Record of Decision

On July 2, 2024, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project (Atlantic Shores South). The Atlantic Shores South Project consists of two wind energy facilities (Project 1 and Project 2) located approximately 8.7 statute miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point. Together, Project 1 and Project 2 expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power close to one million homes with clean renewable energy. The Record of Decision (ROD) documents the decision to approve the construction of up to 195 wind turbine generators.

The following documents are available for your viewing.

On September 26, 2024, BOEM published a Record of Decision Errata on its website to fix a technical correction. The errata clarifies that the Department of the Interior’s selected alternative also includes the removal of a single Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) location, identified as AX01 and located approximately 150 to 200 ft (46 to 61 m) from the observed Fish Haven (Atlantic City Artificial Reef Site). While WTG AX01 was identified as removed in the description of the preferred alternative in the Final EIS, BOEM inadvertently omitted a specific statement in the ROD noting that position was removed from the selected layout. In addition, the published ROD inadvertently identified WTG AX01 as being subject to micrositing instead of removal. In publishing this errata on the website, BOEM is conforming the specific description of the selected alternative to the Final EIS and making clear that a total of 3 WTG locations will be removed from the Project. Specific locations for WTG removal and micrositing are clarified in a footnote in the ROD errata.