Technology continues to become a powerhouse industry worldwide, and the rapidly-growing demand for electricity drives tech companies to source it from renewable sources. In 2018, big data became the biggest contractor of renewable energy led by tech giants Facebook and Google, which was more than any other sector of the global economy. Last year alone, signed deals reached up to 10.4 gigawatts, which is equivalent to the energy generated by 10 nuclear power plants.

A recent analysis shows a new offshore wind farm will bring at least $600 million in economic benefits to the Eastern seaboard state, from constructing to operating. In five states where offshore wind projects are continuously being developed—New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—a combined $3.6 billion is expected to benefit the economy.

In New Jersey alone, an estimate of around 4,400 direct jobs will be created during the construction and operation phases. Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing of the executive order that directs the state Board of Public Utilities to create a subsidy program under 2010’s Offshore Wind Economic Development Act aiming to generate a total of 3,500 megawatts by 2030.

“The development of offshore wind energy is critical to fighting climate change and sea-level rise as well as achieving the Governor’s clean energy goals,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe. “Offshore wind energy represents vast potential for generation of green energy that will create jobs and economic growth that will make New Jersey stronger.”