The California Energy Commission has expanded the state’s offshore wind planning goals to 5GW by 2030, up from 3GW.
The move was announced in its updated AB 525 report.
It follows Governor Gavin Newsom announcing a target last month of 20GW by 2045, which has now been beefed-up to 25GW by 2045 in the report.
The US Department of the Interior announced proposed auction details and lease terms for offshore wind energy development in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area and Humboldt Wind Energy Area, located offshore central and northern California, respectively, in May.
Its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is currently inviting prospective bids for five lease areas at these locations, with the combined potential to generate 4.5GW.
Offshore Wind California (OWC) said these new, expanded goals set an ambitious course and show California is very serious about “going big” on floating offshore wind to strengthen and diversify its clean power portfolio.
It said it was determined as an industry to work closely with state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the high end of these goals becomes a reality.
Reaching 5GW of offshore wind power by 2030 will position California to meet and even exceed its 25GW goal by 2045, OWC added.
The OWC statement concluded: “We’re committed to working with the CEC and other state agencies and stakeholders to continue implementing the AB 525 road map and moving expeditiously to bring the benefits of this important renewable energy resource to the Golden State.
“For California and offshore wind, going bigger is better.”