The US has taken a major step forward in offshore wind development in the deep waters off the coast of California.
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has issued a request for interest in a lease area requested by Trident Winds for a 765MW floating project.
“This announcement represents a significant step in facilitating the responsible development of offshore renewable energy to help California meet its energy needs,” said BOEM director Abigail Ross Hopper.
The bureau has determined Trident is qualified to hold an outer continental shelf lease and now wants to find out whether other developers also are interested in the 68,000-acre site.
Trident plans to moor up to 100 turbines about 33 miles northwest of Morro Bay in the Pacific Ocean, where wind speeds average 8.5 metres/sec. Water depths range from 2600 feet to 3300 feet.
The developer is targeting a 2025 commercial operation date.
If no other developers come forward, BOEM can issue a lease on a non-competitive basis. Otherwise, it will go ahead with a competitive lease auction.
The agency also seeks public comment on the project and potential environmental consequences.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, areas off the US west coast and Hawaii could generate 1.5 terawatts of offshore wind energy.
Image: WindFloat wind turbine demo (Demowfloat)
