US proposes California offshore wind lease sale for over 4.5 GW

The US Department of the Interior on Thursday proposed a lease sale offshore California that could lead to the installation of more than 4.5 GW of offshore wind capacity.

The proposed lease sale, the first on America’s west coast, includes three areas off central California and two areas off northern California, totalling about 373,268 acres (151,056 ha).

Due to the depth of the Pacific Ocean floor, these areas are set to host floating wind platforms.

The proposed sale notice (PSN) will be published on May 31 and will include details on the proposed lease provisions and auction details. Potential stipulations seek to encourage workforce training, supply chain development, community benefits and engagement. The publication of the notice will open a 60-day public comment period.

“The Biden-Harris administration is moving forward at the pace and scale required to help achieve the President’s goals to make offshore wind energy a reality for the United States,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

Last year, Haaland outlined offshore wind leasing plans to meet US President Joe Biden's goal of deploying 30 GW of offshore wind by 2030. The proposed sale offshore California is one of the seven lease sales included in this plan.

Commenting on Thursday’s announcement, the head of the American Clean Power Association (ACP), Heather Zichal, said that “[t]his is a one-in-a-generation opportunity for California to become a global hub for floating offshore wind technology, creating thousands of good-paying American maritime and manufacturing jobs in California and beyond while boosting the domestic offshore wind supply chain.”

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