Ocean Wind 1, a joint venture between Ørsted and Public Service Enterprise Group that aims to provide clean energy to 500,000 homes in New Jersey, has awarded engineering, procurement and construction contracts to Jingoli Power and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., it was announced Monday morning.

Ocean Wind 1 is expected to deliver thousands of jobs and ramp up supply chain initiatives, such as the EEW monopile manufacturing facility at the Port of Paulsboro, all while helping the state meet its clean energy goals.

The contracts awarded Monday include the installation of two high-voltage substations and nearly nine miles of underground cable that will connect the offshore wind farm to the onshore electric grid at two landfall points.

Project engineering began during the first quarter of 2022, with construction estimated to start in September 2023. Together, these contracts will support the creation of approximately 275 family-sustaining jobs in New Jersey, including more than 200 high-paying union construction jobs.

Grant van Wyngaarden, head of procurement for Ørsted North America, said the awarding of these construction contracts marks significant milestones in moving the state’s first offshore wind project forward.

“We are focused on doing all we can to meet the state’s timeline for delivering the Ocean Wind 1 project, hiring locally, creating job opportunities and encouraging supply chain growth to help the offshore wind industry mature in New Jersey,” he said.

Lathrop Craig, PSEG’s vice president of wind development, said the announcement is key to the industry.

“Offshore wind is critical to helping New Jersey achieve its clean energy ambitions, and these agreements mark a significant step in the process,” he said. “In addition to ensuring the project remains on track, it’s essential we ensure that a breadth of diverse, qualified and talented workers have access to the many opportunities that this new industry affords.”

Jingoli Power will install an underground electric export cable from landfall to B.L. England, the site of the onshore electric substation in Upper Township, and engineer, procure and install a duct bank/manhole system that will house the export cables.

The company is committed to providing job training and apprenticeships to local residents and area teens interested in STEM careers through its Competitive Edge program, which ensures project investment dollars remain in the community, building stronger local economies and workforces.

Jingoli Power CEO Joe JIngoli said the project is a win-win for the state.

“Ocean Wind 1 proves that we don’t have to choose between creating good jobs and fighting climate change — we can do both,” he said. “We’re extremely honored to have been selected by Ørsted and PSEG for this project, and we’re ready to get to work building this critical component of New Jersey’s clean energy economy.”

Burns & McDonnell will install a substation in Upper Township that includes an interconnection to a nearby Atlantic City Electric substation. The company will also install a substation at Oyster Creek, with an interconnection to a nearby First Energy substation, and install an underground export cable from the landfall to the onshore electric substation.

Burns & McDonnell Chair and CEO Ray Kowalik said the company is proud to be a part of the initiative.

“Burns & McDonnell is honored to be selected by Ørsted and PSEG to deliver this critical project that will further drive the sustainable energy transition in the U.S.,” he said. “With our firm’s experience in the continually expanding offshore wind market and our rapidly growing teams in New Jersey and the Northeast, we are well-positioned to execute on this project that will create high-paying local union jobs and provide efficient, sustainable energy to New Jersey for years to come.”

Dan Cosner, president of South Jersey Building Trades Council and business manager, IBEW Local 351, said the unions are eager to get going.

“Ocean Wind 1 will be built under industry-leading project labor agreements and specific partnerships with local union organizations to ensure local union labor participation in all phases of construction,” he said. “Onshore activities for the project’s underground duct bank system, transmission and substation facility are the first to begin and will source construction labor from local, New Jersey union hiring halls.”