Description
Floating offshore wind is coming to the U.S. West Coast. California has committed to going big on offshore wind, and to moving forward with both speed and scale to responsibly develop this remarkable renewable resource as an important part of the Golden State’s clean energy future.
Last year, we held a very successful Pacific Offshore Wind Summit in San Francisco on March 28-30, 2022, bringing together more than 600 state and federal officials, industry leaders, and other stakeholders. That business meeting on the Bay played a key role in helping to mobilize supporters and momentum for California’s adoption of ambitious offshore wind planning goals – to generate up to 5 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and a nation-leading 25 GW by 2045.
It also set the stage for the first-ever federal lease auctions for floating offshore wind off California’s coast on December 6-7, identifying five leaseholders who stand ready to make the big investments necessary to develop California’s initial lease areas and realize offshore wind’s very substantial climate, clean energy, and jobs benefits.
This year, we’re convening our next Pacific Offshore Wind Summit on May 8-10 in Sacramento, the center of the state’s policymaking, as the California Energy Commission (CEC) works with other policy leaders to prepare a full Strategic Plan for developing offshore wind – due by June 30 per the landmark AB 525 law. To be successful, this plan must identify suitable sea space for the state’s 25 GW goal, necessary transmission, and port infrastructure, an efficient and comprehensive process for permitting, and stakeholder engagement to protect cultural and marine resources.
The Pacific Offshore Wind Summit 2023 will explore what this means for the offshore wind industry and how the U.S. West Coast states can stay on track to establish a sustainable floating wind industry and supply chain that will generate jobs and economic development for decades. We’ll also take a look at how California can become a global leader and hub for floating offshore wind development, jobs, and expertise – in the Pacific Rim region and beyond.
Join us at the Pacific Offshore Wind Summit to get the latest on siting, permitting, ports, procurement, transmission, and environmental issues; explore floating wind technology advances; get briefed on federal and state offshore wind policies; and better understand the road map ahead.
