The US state of Oregon has launched a roadmap for the future of offshore wind development off the western state’s coast.
The draft roadmap considers four possible futures for the state, some of which include no offshore wind turbines.
The plan has been in development since June 2024, and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development wrote that the roadmap does not recommend whether or not the state should pursue offshore wind development.
Rather the document “outlines the conditions, processes, and standards from which it could proceed responsibly while protecting the interests of coastal communities, federally recognized tribes in Oregon (tribes), fisheries, and ecosystems while advancing Oregon’s clean energy and climate goals”, the department wrote.
The four scenarios include large-scale development, pilot projects, economic participation without the deployment of turbines, and opting out of the industry entirely.
The large-scale option could see 1GW to 3GW off capacity.
The deep waters of the west coast of the US would require the deployment of floating turbines.
Under the economic participation option the state would participate in the supply chain, portside services, research and development, and other services, but would not host projects off its coast.
A public comment period will run through 3 April.