Building Momentum: What We Learned from Offshore Wind Open Houses 

Throughout June, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) partnered with other state agencies to host a series of open house events designed to educate and engage the public about the state’s ongoing offshore wind initiatives. The commitment to a clean energy future was on full display, drawing a diverse crowd of stakeholders, including residents, environmental activists, community-based organizations, business owners, and more. 

Here are some of the key takeaways that consistently resonated with participants and attendees throughout all of the events. 

These Are the Jobs of the Future  

Many attendees were interested in learning more about the jobs offshore wind will create – one of the many advantages residents will benefit from for many years.   

There are currently more than 3,000 skilled professionals in New Jersey working in the offshore wind industry. In Salem County, the first phase of work is nearly complete at the New Jersey Wind Port, the nation’s first purpose-built wind port, which is ultimately expected to create 1,500 permanent manufacturing and marshalling jobs. Furthermore, the installation, operations, and maintenance of proposed wind farms will create thousands of more jobs for the state. 

 In 2023, the NJEDA awarded five entities nearly $4 million to launch innovative training programs focused on strengthening and diversifying the state’s offshore wind workforce, with a particular emphasis on serving Overburdened Communities. With the funding, these organizations are providing skill development, workforce training, job placement, and additional services to develop, implement, or expand workforce development initiatives. Find more information about upcoming trainings here. 

Collaboration is Key  

One of the standout benefits of these events was the unique opportunity for developers and stakeholders to engage directly.  

The open house format facilitated meaningful interactions between various developers who rarely get the chance to exchange ideas directly. This interaction not only fostered a sense of community, but also led to valuable lessons on best practices and innovative solutions for offshore wind projects. As New Jersey moves forward with the Atlantic Shores, Attentive Energy and Leading Light Wind projects, the collaborative spirit nurtured at these events will be crucial in achieving the state’s ambitious goal of producing 11 gigawatts (GW) of wind electricity by 2040. 

People Want to Learn More  

Of note, the events, which were held in West Windsor, Newark and Atlantic City, were well-attended with hundreds of participants eager to ask questions, understand the impacts on their daily lives, and explore workforce and business opportunities. NJEDA has created a list of frequently-asked-questions, many of which were repeated at the open houses; please click here to read and download the document. 

These events, along with the recent launch of the Offshore Wind Information Hub website, underscore the State’s commitment to proactive communication and transparency around the offshore wind initiatives; marking a significant step forward in New Jersey’s journey towards a sustainable future.