WIND DEVELOPERS BRING FLEET OF RESEARCH VESSELS TO JERSEY SHORE - The Fisherman

WIND DEVELOPERS BRING FLEET OF RESEARCH VESSELS TO JERSEY SHORE

Beginning this month and continuing through July, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind will conduct its next round of ocean survey operations to inform development plans for its first offshore wind project.

“In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Atlantic Shores has established necessary safety protocols to ensure all workers, contractors, and vendors remain safe and have appropriate PPE during this time,” the company stated in a mid-April press release.

Wind ChartAccording to the statement, several different vessels may appear along the lease area this season starting with the 213-foot Fugro’s Brasilis research vessel in May, followed by the 50-foot Zephyr Westerly in June which is expected to run nearshore surveys between Atlantic City and Manasquan.

By July, the 250-foot Tidewater Royal is expected to begin conducting soil sampling projects along the proposed export cable routes, with the 24-foot Geoquip Saintis following up with the drilling of 15 boreholes within the Atlantic Shores lease area.

Despite most industries being effectively shut down during the state public health emergency this spring, wind developers like Atlantic Shores and Orsted have kept busy with the planning of research studies and webinars with stakeholders.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC is a 50/50 joint venture between EDF Renewables North America and the Shell corporation, specifically their New Energies U.S. division.  Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind holds a 183,000-acre Lease Area (see chart) approximately 9 to 20 miles off the New Jersey coast between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light.

According to a press release, Atlantic Shores has put down roots in the past year with offices along the east coast allowing the team to be in close proximity with local agencies and partners in multiple markets.  “Atlantic Shores expects its first project to begin operations as early as the mid-2020s, with the aim to help meet New Jersey and New York’s ambitious and essential renewable energy targets,” the release stated.

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