The United States has kicked off a competitive lease process for offshore wind development in the Pacific Ocean off California.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) began the process today after completing an initial review of a proposal by Trident Winds for an 650MW floating wind farm off Morro Bay.
Trident, co-founded by former Principle Power CEO and founder Alla Weinstein, plans to moor up to 100 turbines. The 67,963-acre site lies about 33 miles off the coast with depths of 2600 to 3300 feet.
The Morro Bay project could be expanded to 1GW if the developer secures additional transmission capacity and market offtake.
“As California moves forward to meet 50% of the state’s energy needs with clean, renewable energy by 2030, wind power will play an important role,” said the California Energy Commission’s David Hochschild.
“This offshore wind project proposal, the first of its kind, marks another important milestone.”
BOEM confirmed Trident is qualified to hold an offshore wind energy lease in federal waters.
Trident’s request is the first formal interest in wind development off California. The unsolicited lease request is the first step in a process that will include environmental analysis and extensive stakeholder engagement.
BOEM expects to issue a call this summer to determine if there is competitive interest in the area. The notice will also seek public and stakeholder comment on site conditions, commercial, military or other uses of the area and potential impacts of the proposed project.
If BOEM determines there is competitive interest, it will go ahead with a lease auction. If no expressions of interest are received, the bureau will proceed with the non-competitive leasing process.
The expected energy generation from the Morro Bay project could surpass a 50% capacity factor, Trident said in the BOEM application. The developer proposes to export power to the Pacific Gas & Electric substation next to the decommissioned Morro Bay power plant.
Initial commercial operation is expected around 2025.
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