Shell Withdraws From Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project: Report

NEW JERSEY — Shell has pulled out of the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project, marking another major blow to New Jersey's plans of offshore wind energy.

Atlantic Shores, a joint partnership between Shell New Energies US LLC and EDF Renewables North America, planned to put 197 wind turbines as close as 8.7 miles off the coast between Atlantic City and Long Beach Island.

Shell withdrew an investment of nearly $1 billion into the wind farm, according to a Bloomberg report. The news comes only a week after President Donald Trump voiced hopes that Atlantic Shores had failed following his executive order on offshore wind. Read more: NJ Offshore Wind Farm 'Hopefully Dead And Gone,' Trump Says

An Atlantic Shores spokesperson told Patch the company remains "committed to New Jersey and delivering the Garden State’s first offshore wind project."

"Business plans, projects, portfolio projections and scopes evolve over time – and as expected for large, capital-intensive infrastructure projects like ours, our shareholders have always prepared long-term strategies that contemplate multiple scenarios that enable Atlantic Shores to reach its full potential," the spokesperson said.

Atlantic Shores is set to be New Jersey's first offshore wind farm. Originally, that title belonged to Ocean Wind 1 and 2. Those plans were scrapped when developer Orsted suddenly pulled out from the project in late 2023, citing supply chain issues.

"First Orsted pulled out of these projects, and now Shell is following suit," Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a leader in the anti-offshore wind fight, said in a statement celebrating the news. "They are beginning to realize what we have been saying all along: these projects are not a practical or viable solution for our energy needs."

Shell's chief financial officer said that the project no longer aligns with the oil giant's capabilities nor the returns it would like, Bloomberg reported.

"While we can’t comment on the views of shareholders, Atlantic Shores intends to continue progressing New Jersey’s first offshore wind project and our portfolio in compliance with our obligations to local, state and federal partners under existing leases and relevant permits," the Atlantic Shores spokesperson said.