The California Energy Commission on July 10 adopted a comprehensive strategic plan that will guide the development of offshore wind energy.
The plan outlines analysis and strategies to deploy floating turbines off the state’s central and northern coasts with a planning goal of 25,000 megawatts of capacity by 2045.
Off the California coast, floating wind energy technology has been identified because it’s particularly suited to deep waters and offers several benefits, including the ability to access stronger and more consistent wind resources farther offshore and reduced environmental disturbances to the seabed, the CEC said.
Following adoption of the strategic plan, the CEC and partner agencies will advance the strategic plan by:
- Continuing discussions and consultations with tribal governments, underserved communities, fisheries, industry, ocean users, environmental and environmental justice groups, and federal, state, and local agencies.
- Advancing and exploring the recommendations and strategies developed in the strategic plan.
The strategic plan is the fourth and final work product the CEC was directed to prepare by Assembly Bill 525, in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, and a wide variety of stakeholders.
It incorporates and builds off three prior requirements of AB 525:
- The establishment of planning goals of 2,000 to 5,000 MW by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2045
- A preliminary assessment of economic benefit of offshore wind related to port investments and workforce development
- A conceptual permitting roadmap
