Fishermen’s Energy, which seeks to develop a 25-MW wind farm off the New Jersey coast, is expected to appeal to the state’s court a May 29 lower court decision that upheld a state regulator’s veto of the estimated $200-million project, say company officials.

The wind farm, which began some construction in December, has won some state permits to five wind turbines about three miles offshore, as well as a $47-million U.S. Dept. of Energy grant.

But the state Superior Court appellate division sided with New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities in its denial to build the turbines because of questions of economic and technological viability and cost of power.

“Having read the entire record, we find there is ample evidence to support the board’s decision,” the court said.

The firm has claimed the project will generate 350 construction jobs, but the latest court ruling follows recent setbacks to other Atlantic offshore wind projects that include decisions earlier this year by utilities to suspend links to planned projects in Massachusetts and Virginia because of development costs and permitting problems.