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Even with recent stumbles in New Jersey's offshore wind programs, state leaders say they're fully committed to reaching wind power goals.

Moving forward with plans for the emerging industry.

Despite a recent setback, Danish developer Orsted's decision to back out of two major wind farm projects here.

The state Board of Public Utilities recently showed a vote of confidence in the program by requesting more offshore wind projects proposals.

For more on what the future holds, I'm joined by BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.

President Guhl-Sadovy.

First of all, thanks for coming on the show.

Let me ask you about the state's overall goals for wind.

It was a little over a year ago when the governor signed an executive order directing this to ramp up by 2040.

And I'm wondering if Orsted's decision, despite the fact that the agency is moving forward with plans for offshore wind.

I'm wondering how Orsted's decision to pull out here will affect our ability to get there.

You know, as you said, the state is moving forward on our offshore wind goals.

The governor set the goal of 11 gigawatts and that is the goal that we are moving towards.

And, you know, there, of course, was a step back and we understand that.

But that is not going to prevent New Jersey from taking advantage of this really transformational initiative that is offshore wind and realizing both the economic and environmental benefits that offshore wind is going to bring to New Jersey.

You know, the recent announcement from the governor about moving up the next solicitation timeline is a demonstration of his commitment and my commitment and the commitment of the agency to move forward with offshore wind in New Jersey towards our goals.

Yeah.

What can you tell us about that timeline?

This would be the fourth round out of five to to solicit these bids.

When should we expect that to start?

Yeah.

So we recently announced that we're moving that timeline up to the first part of 2024.

And we don't have an exact date or or month at this time, but we are moving as quickly as possible to open that next solicitation.

Given your involvement with the state's energy master plan, the goals to reach, I believe it was 27% of electricity through wind by 2050, should wind still be the linchpin in this plan?

And does the state have any other choice?

So, you know, absolutely.

When offshore wind is a cornerstone part of the energy master plan and the governor's goal of 100% clean energy, And yes, it should continue to be that part.

I mean, offshore wind has such significant potential in terms of generation for energy.

And so that is something that, you know, we are focused on as we move forward.

We obviously are looking at the for energy portfolio and all of our clean energy resources as we think about the goals from the energy master plan.

But offshore wind is absolutely and will continue to be a cornerstone of our clean energy agenda.

For folks who are going to be customers or our customers here, what does this mean for what the future is going to look like, both for energy provided and also for, you know, what they can expect to have available to them for choices?

Yeah.

So I think the important thing to remember about offshore wind is that it is going to provide that clean energy generation and it's providing that, you know, the generation to New Jersey to help power the homes and businesses and provide electricity for the people of New Jersey.

And that's clean, clean energy that doesn't have emissions.

And so that's something that we want to really make sure that the residents of New Jersey.

Christine Guhl-Sadovy., is the president of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities.

Christine, thanks so much.

Thank you, Briana.

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