California stays the course on offshore wind to strengthen energy security & independence, spur hub for floating technology & jobs, leaders say at 2025 Pacific Offshore Wind Summit
State moving ahead on next steps to modernize infrastructure on ports & transmission, meet clean-energy goals
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- State, industry, and other key leaders at the 2025 Pacific Offshore Wind Summit joined in praising California for staying the course in its plans to deploy gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind to strengthen its energy security and independence, and develop a global hub for floating wind technology and jobs. Speakers at the Summit, hosted by Offshore Wind California (OWC), urged the state to proceed with its recent advances to deploy offshore wind at scale – including investing in port infrastructure and transmission, procuring at scale, establishing a strategic plan and permitting roadmap, engaging key stakeholders, and spurring a supply chain and workforce training.
California made important strides in 2024 on its key next steps to bring offshore wind online. Most notable were the California Energy Commission's (CEC) adoption of a final AB 525 strategic plan, the California Public Utilities Commission's decision to procure up to 7.6 GW by 2035-37, and approval by California voters of Proposition 4, the $10 billion climate bond that included $475 million to upgrade ports for offshore wind. California currently has five existing offshore wind leases, located 20-30 miles off its coast and largely out of sight, from the first federal lease sale for Pacific offshore wind in 2022 that drew bids of $757 million from five developers to deploy an initial 7 to 10 GW.
"California is fully committed to getting to 100% clean energy and offshore wind has an important role to play in that effort," said David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission. "Our focus now will be on deploying $475 million in funding for port infrastructure upgrades to support offshore wind, as a result of California voters approving Prop 4 last fall." In 2022, the CEC set the state's goals for up to 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and a nation-leading 25 GW by 2045.
"Supporting California's development of offshore wind is important to the Port of Long Beach," said Suzanne Plezia, Chief Harbor Engineer, Port of Long Beach. "It will require a multi-port strategy to develop floating wind," said Plezia, who outlined the Port's Pier Wind plans. "Pier Wind would be the nation's largest purpose-built offshore wind facility, designed to be an efficient floating wind turbine assembly hub," she said. "Pier Wind will also support thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining wage jobs. We're not just meeting the moment; we're shaping what comes next."
"California has the opportunity to become a powerhouse for offshore wind," said AssemblymemberRick Chavez Zbur, California State Assembly (51st District). "We need to continue focusing on our port infrastructure for offshore wind, right now," Zbur said. "Offshore wind is more than just clean energy, it is an economic engine." Zbur was a key backer of legislation that led to SB 867, which authorized the $10 billionProp 4 climate bond voters approved in November, including a $475 million downpayment for a multi-port strategy to deploy floating wind turbines.
"The future is bright for California offshore wind – which is vital for our energy security, independence, grid reliability, and jobs," said Adam Stern, Executive Director,OWC, a trade group of offshore wind developers and technology firms. "As an industry, we're focused and moving forward on what is advancing offshore wind in California. Right now, most of that is occurring at the state level. We've made great progress this past year. Over the next four years, California has much of what it needs to continue moving forward – on ports, transmission, and more. That's a course we intend to stay."
California is also well-positioned to be a hub in the growing global market for floating offshore wind. In 2023, California joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance and has agreements with Norway, Scotland, Denmark, Japan, and China to advance floating wind.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates California has 200 GW of offshore wind potential, with more than 25 GW in five existing leases at Morro Bay and Humboldt and waters off the North Coast. Deep West Coast waters require floating technologies already deployed in other world markets. Reports show deploying 25 GW of California offshore wind can create thousands of jobs, supply 15-20% of the state's new clean energy, offer ratepayers affordable, reliable clean power, drive economies of scale, and generate enough competitively priced electricity for up to 25 million homes.
Offshore Wind California's more than 30 members include Burns & McDonnell, Clean Energy Terminals, Crowley Wind Services, CSA, ESA, MCE, Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, PG&E, Port of Long Beach, Shell, Vineyard Wind, WSP, and XODUS.
About OWC − Offshore Wind California is a coalition of industry partners with a shared interest in promoting policies and public support for responsible development of offshore wind power in California. Its members are dedicated to providing an independent voice and industry expertise to facilitate offshore wind deployment off California's coast. OWC undertakes public education and advocacy of this renewable resource as part of a comprehensive solution to California's energy needs. OWC is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization. For more information, go to www.offshorewindCA.org. Follow us @offshorewindCA.
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