Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with Ørsted North America (Ørsted) to acquire a 25% interest in the 1,100-megawatt Ocean Wind project. This alliance, combining Ørsted’s global expertise in offshore wind with PSEG’s state and regional experience executing complex energy infrastructure projects and power market knowledge, will benefit New Jersey’s development of an offshore wind supply chain, job creation efforts and environmental stewardship.
“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. We’re excited to continue our close relationship with Ørsted, combining each organization’s expertise to achieve powerful benefits for energy consumers and the state.”
“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. “In addition to clean energy, Ocean Wind will bring jobs and industrial development to the Garden State during development and construction and throughout its operational lifetime. I look forward to delivering this flagship renewable energy project to New Jersey in close cooperation with PSEG.”
“Our two organizations have unmatched expertise and experience constructing complex energy projects,” said David Hardy, CEO for Ørsted Offshore North America. “We’re excited to partner with PSEG due to their extensive knowledge of the market and previous track record and we’re looking forward to providing enough clean energy for 500,000 New Jersey homes.”
“PSEG and Orsted have natural synergies, and matching Ørsted’s global construction expertise with PSEG’s deep local history positions us well to deliver a successful project for New Jersey,” said PSEG Vice President of Offshore Wind Development Lathrop Craig. “As more states look to decarbonize their energy supply, we look forward to this and future opportunities throughout New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic.”
The Ocean Wind project will generate clean, zero-carbon electricity and power half a million New Jersey homes 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. Expanding zero-carbon energy resources is a key element of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan and central to Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of achieving 100% clean energy for the state by 2050.
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.
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.
Ørsted is the global leader in offshore wind development and operates 26 wind farms globally including the U.S.’s first offshore wind farm, the Block Island Wind Farm. In January, Ørsted was named the most sustainable company in the world by Corporate Knights.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as transactional counsel to PSEG. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is serving as transaction counsel to Ørsted.
