3 firms eye building wind energy turbines off New Jersey

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - At least three firms are interested in building offshore wind energy projects off the coast of New Jersey.

The state Board of Public Utilities says it received three bids Friday from firms interested in building wind projects, but it wouldn't identify any of them.

A Danish wind company, Orsted, said it had submitted one of them.

The state is seeking companies to build projects that would generate at least 1,100 megawatts of electricity. Orsted estimates that amount could power more than a half-million homes.

Another company, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, says it's interested in developing a project that could provide up to 2,500 megawatts.

It was not immediately known Monday whether that firm, which is a joint venture between Shell and EDF Renewables North America, has formally applied.