California adopts offshore wind strategic plan towards 25 GW goal

The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Wednesday adopted a strategic plan to steer the development of offshore wind and meet the state's goal of 25 GW of capacity by 2045.

The plan sets out strategies to construct floating wind farms off California’s central and northern coasts. The final version of the plan was released in June.

The American Clean Power Association (ACP) applauded its adoption. “The approved plan outlines a pathway to scale up the offshore wind economy, advance port infrastructure upgrades, and facilitate transmission investments, reinforcing the crucial role of central procurement to spur these investments,” said Molly Croll, Pacific offshore wind director at ACP.

The strategic plan is the fourth and final document the CEC was instructed to prepare by Assembly Bill 525.

"Adopting this comprehensive strategic plan for offshore wind development marks yet another significant milestone in California’s journey to a 100% clean energy future," said CEC chair David Hochschild.

The CEC noted that California today uses almost 35 GW of renewable sources, but to meet its 2045 goal, another 148 GW will be needed, which will require significant development both on and offshore. The commission added that offshore wind has solid potential, due to the strong, consistent winds off California’s coast, while it can also generate electricity when solar power is low.

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