California adopts 25-GW floating offshore wind goal by 2045

The California Energy Commission (CEC) on Wednesday approved the state’s objective to deploy up to 25 GW of floating offshore wind power capacity by 2045, with a 5-GW interim target by 2030.

The goal was adopted as part of legislation passed in the Senate last September that called CEC to devise a strategic plan for the development of the offshore wind industry in the state and establish megawatt offshore wind planning goals for 2030 and 2045.

"These goals set an ambitious course and show that California is very serious about 'going big' on floating offshore wind [..]," said Adam Stern, executive director of trade group Offshore Wind California (OWC).

Law AB 525 also directs the commission to develop the strategic plan for the development, transmission and procurement within the industry and submit it to the Natural Resources Agency and the Legislature on or before June 30, 2023.

California’s ultimate goal is to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045. Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom called for the increase of the state’s offshore wind target to at least 20 GW in 2045 as part of an aggressive action plan that aims to accelerate the energy transition. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Golden State’s technical offshore wind potential stands at 200 GW.

In 2021, the US outlined plans for BOEM to hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025, including a lease sale for northern and central California, within the state’s Morro Bay and Humboldt areas. The lease process is expected to be launched in the autumn.

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