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California Energy Commission sets offshore wind goals

By: Tom Russell 11/08/2022 CEC

General Windfarms

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved set of offshore wind planning goals, as directed by the state's AB 525 law, putting California on a path to responsibly develop up to 5 GW of floating offshore wind power by 2030 and 25 GW by 2045.

Last September, California's Governor Gavin Newsom signed the AB 525 law that directs the CEC to establish planning targets for this clean energy technology. By the end of June 2023 AB 525 also requires the CEC to work with other agencies and stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive strategic plan for offshore wind development, including transmission, port infrastructure, procurement, additional call areas, workforce development, and a sustainable supply chain.

"California is home to one of the world's best offshore wind resources in the world and I am confident that this clean, domestic source of electricity can play an important role in meeting our state's growing need for clean energy," said Governor Gavin Newsom, in remarks cited in a presentation on the offshore wind planning goals at the CEC's August 10 Business Meeting. Last month, Newsom called on the CEC to raise its offshore wind target to at least 20 GW by 2045.

"This is a moment for boldness," said David Hochschild, CEC Chair, who led the hearing in Sacramento where the CEC unanimously approved the expanded goals in the state's revised offshore wind report. "What we do here matters far more than we realize. We have a great track record of starting big things in California, of pushing the envelope and that spreading. What we're doing today on offshore wind is it yet another step in that proud journey. I fully support it."

"These goals set an ambitious course and show that California is very serious about 'going big' on floating offshore wind, to drive economies of scale and generate the very substantial clean power, climate, and jobs benefits this renewable energy resource can deliver for our state," said Adam Stern, Executive Director of Offshore Wind California (OWC), a trade group that represents the state's offshore wind industry. "Achieving 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 will position the state to meet and even exceed its 25 GW goal by 2045. For California and offshore wind, going bigger is better."

"The ultimate goal is to develop a thriving, world-leading floating wind industry," said Paula Major, Vice President, U.S. Offshore Wind, Mainstream Renewable Power and Board Chair, OWC. "This shows California is committed to 'going big' and moving forward—now. We're determined as an industry to work closely with state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to reach the high end of these goals, and help make California a global leader in floating offshore wind."

Back in May, The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the next steps for offshore wind lease sales in two regions on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore California. This is the first ever offshore wind lease sale proposed on America’s west coast. The Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) includes three proposed lease areas in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area off central California and two proposed lease areas in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area off northern California, totalling approximately 373,268 acres. According to BOEM, they have the potential to unlock over 4.5 GW of offshore wind energy and power more than 1.5 million homes.

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California Energy Commission sets offshore wind goals

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